Victoria Terminus & Horse Tram Bombay, 1903 Photo

Old 1903 stereophoto of the Victoria Terminus and passing in front is a horse-drawn tram in Bombay. Undoubtedly one of the best railway terminus buildings in the world to this day. Now officially known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) but also called VT probably by old-timers.

Designed by F W Stevens in Victorian Gothic architecture, supposedly in line with the St Pancras station in London. The building is incorporated with eye-catching attractions like gargoyles, turrets, peacock sculptures, and so on. Completed in 1888 on the site where the Bori Bunder Station once stood in Bombay, now Mumbai. Bori Bunder was a historically important railway station.

It is from here that the first train ran from Bombay to Thana in 1853. Victoria Terminus derives its name from Queen Victoria. Also fascinating to watch in this stereophoto is a horse-drawn tram apparently travelling at a slow pace. In four years’ time, the horse-drawn tram would give way to the faster electric tram. But this once iconic city transportation would altogether die out by the early 1960s, sadly because of congestion and financial loss. Click on the photo for better view.

Did you know- another noteworthy instance is that India’s first electric train ran between VT to Kurla, a distance of 16 km in 1925.

From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma’s Wife Bhageerathi, Rare 1870 Photo., Cavalcade of Viceroy Lord Curzon India, Photo 1903., Cumballa Hill War Hospital Bombay, Red Cross PC 1915., Worli Fort In Mumbai Old Print 1930.