Gateway of India
Begin at the waterfront monument at Apollo Bunder. Its Indo-Saracenic design and ceremonial history offer a starting point for understanding Mumbai’s relationship with the harbour and its colonial past.
Explore this placeMumbai
Mumbai’s history is visible in its waterfront monuments, architectural ensembles and museum collections. At the Gateway of India, the city’s harbour setting meets the legacy of colonial ceremony. Around the Oval Maidan, Victorian Gothic and Art Deco buildings reveal different phases of Mumbai’s development. The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum adds another perspective through collections connected with the city’s cultural history. These are three starting points rather than a single walking route: the museum is in Byculla, away from the southern waterfront. Use the directory below to explore more of Mumbai’s landmarks, neighbourhoods and stories.
Mumbai through architecture and city history
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Mumbai
Discover the contrasting architectural ensembles around the Oval Maidan. UNESCO recognises these buildings as evidence of Mumbai’s development during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including the distinctive blending of Indian and Art Deco design.
Explore this placeDr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
Explore a museum in Byculla devoted to Mumbai’s cultural heritage. Its collections offer a different way to understand the city alongside the monuments and architectural landmarks visible in its streets.
Explore this placeOfficial sources
Mumbai City District Administration · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum