History Of Mumbai’s Amazing Architecture Of Its Heritage Buildings

Mumbai’s architecture rose to prominence in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. At first, neoclassical architecture was the most common, but later, the city became known for its Victorian Gothic style, which was mostly brought there by the British.

Mumbai is one of the oldest and wealthiest cities in India, both when it was a British colony and when it was a free country. The city is a center for finance and business, and it also has a unique mix of different architectural styles from the past few hundred years. In contrast to the neoclassical style, the Gothic style is expressive, disjointed, and filled with brightly colored surfaces and carved and story-telling elements like flying buttresses, lancet windows, and stained glass.

The buildings combine Indian and Islamic architecture with Victorian and Venetian neo-Gothic styles. The city offers it all, from the historic elephantine caverns with their intricate carvings to the contemporary skyscrapers. The Municipal Corporation rated the buildings as Grade I, Grade II, and Grade III historic structures. Also designated as UNESCO world heritage sites are a few of these buildings.

Here are some of Mumbai’s oldest structures, which have not only stood the test of time but also serve as a key draw for both tourists and architecture enthusiasts.

South Asian Design

Early in the 20th century, when the art nouveau style was starting to lose popularity, the art deco architectural movement became popular. Ancient Egyptian monuments, Greek culture, and other civilizations all had a global impact on this architectural style.

This type of architecture is unique because it lets an architect show off his or her creative design skills by using odd building materials and parts in odd ways.

It is one of the less well-known building styles in the modern city of Mumbai.

Additionally, it was around this period that abstract geometrical shapes first entered the fashion world. With a few standout qualities, it is thus an eclectic fusion of the old and new;

• Mesoamerican, Greek, Egyptian, Chinese, Japanese, and African influences can all be seen in modern art.
• Orphism, Cubism, Futurism, and Constructivism were prominent influences on abstract geometric design.
• Minarets and domes from the Saracenic style, with outside Indian design,
• The design of a building affects many things, such as the floors, lights, intricately carved inscriptions, wood paneling, verandahs, plinths, weather shades, and balconies.
• Styles from different eras and cultures mixing were more pronounced and elegant

You will only find this particular architectural style in a very small number of locations, including;

The Mahalaxmi Temple

Art deco and Indo-Saracenic designs are uniquely combined in the Mahalakshmi temple. The beautiful building’s enormous archway and pillars, as well as its elaborate carvings and detailed design, are just stunning. It is devoted to Devi Mahatmyam’s main deity, Mahalakshmi. Dhakji Dadaji (1760–1846), a Hindu businessman who adhered to Hindu vedic customs and culture, constructed the temple in 1831.

The Tridevi goddesses Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati are depicted at the temple. Pearl necklaces, gold bangles, and nose rings may be seen on all three pictures. Mahalakshmi is seen in the center holding two lotus blossoms.

A Famous Gallery Called The Jehangir

Both an art gallery and a theater are housed in the Jehangir Art Gallery. Even though it’s not used much in modern architecture, an introverted gallery design was one of the most futuristic at the time it was made. Here is where the modernist idea of a street-free gallery with an inward face was first portrayed. Relief stonework adorns the uninteresting exterior design. It is also important to highlight the cantilevered entrance.

The General Post Office

A great example of an Indo-Saracenic and Art Deco fusion, the general post office in Mumbai is known for its Deco-Saracenic architecture. The Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, Karnataka, is the inspiration for the edifice. Black basalt and buff and yellow Kurla stone dressing make up the structure’s construction.

Flora Fountain

The Indo-Saracenic and Roman designs that were combined to create the Flora Fountain are very similar. Roman goddess statuettes can be seen adorning the enormous fountain. This building is unique because it uses imported Portland stone instead of the more common basalt, which happens to be the local Kurla, and Malad stones that can be found in the area.

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