An Architectural Tour of Bombay Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of these architectural styles, found in many of the buildings constructed during the colonial times, combined elements of native Indian and Islamic styles along with Gothic and Neo Classical architecture and was popularized by the architects, George Wittet and John Begg?

Answer: Indo Saracenic

Indo Saracenic architecture, also known as Indo-Gothic, gained prominence in the late nineteenth century. The earliest example of this style is found in Chennai (formerly known as Madras) where it was used in the construction of the Chepauk palace. Wittet and Begg were both Scottish architects who favoured this style in the buildings they designed in Bombay. Well known examples include the Gateway of India (featured in the photo), the General Post Office and the Institute of Science.

2. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly the Prince of Wales Museum) was established in 1922. Its architecture incorporates varied styles but which of these structures was the inspiration behind its dome?

Answer: Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur

The foundation for the museum was laid in 1905 and the structure was completed in 1915. However, as World War I was being fought at that point in time, it was used as a Children's Welfare Centre and Military Hospital instead of for its original purpose. The museum was finally established in 1922. It was designed by George Wittet who popularized the Indo-Sarcenic style of architecture. The dome with a finial and inlaid floors draw inspiration from the Mughal style of architecture while the interior, with its wooden pavilion and circular railings were originally part of a royal house in the city of Nashik in Maharashtra.

Gol Gumbaz, found in Bijapur in Karnataka, is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur.

3. Built in the Gothic Revival style which was used mostly for churches in the western world, what important institution is housed in the building in the picture?

Answer: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court was inaugurated on 14 August 1862 though the present building was completed only in November 1878. Designed by Col. J. A. Fuller, this four storied structure with gabled roofs has statues of Justice and Mercy on the top. Basalt, which was found abundantly in the local area, was used in its construction. Mahatma Gandhi practiced law here and a plaque outside the building commemorates this.

Even though Bombay was renamed Mumbai in the 1990s, the High Court continues to retain its original name.

4. Drawing inspiration from the Greek and Roman styles of architecture, what was the original purpose of the building in the picture?

Answer: Town Hall

The Town Hall was designed by Colonel Thomas Cowper and the building was completed by 1830. The building took over twenty years to be completed due to a lack of funds with the Government of Bombay finally agreeing to make up the balance in exchange for office space.

This heritage structure was initially proposed to have two rows of columns but lack of funds led to the columns at the entrance being restricted to eight. It now also houses the Asiatic Society of Bombay.

5. St. John the Evangelist Church in Colaba is considered to be one of the first Gothic churches to be built in India. How is it more popularly known?

Answer: Afghan Church

This church, built in the mid-nineteenth century, was a memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives during the first and second Anglo-Afghan wars. Built using the locally available Kurla stone and Porbandar stone, the church is home to beautiful stained glass windows which were imported from England.

It also has a sixty meter tall bell tower which could be seen by the sailors while still some distance away from the shore in earlier times.

6. Crawford Market, a large, wholesale vegetable and fruit market in South Bombay, draws from both Norman and Flemish styles of architecture. The father of which famous author designed the stone fountains inside the structure and the friezes on the entrance?

Answer: Rudyard Kipling

John Lockwood Kipling was an English art teacher and illustrator. Apart from the works mentioned in the question, he also provided illustrations for many of his son's books. Rudyard Kipling was born in India where his father worked as a professor of architectural sculpture in the Jeejeebhoy School of Art in Bombay. The bungalow where they lived can still be visited within the premises of the school.

Crawford Market, then named after Arthur Crawford, the first Municipal Commissioner of the city, and later renamed after Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, a prominent social reformer, was designed by William Emerson.

7. Built in the Palladian style, is the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum the oldest museum in the city of Mumbai?

Answer: Yes

Opened to the public in 1872, the museum was originally called the Victoria and Albert Museum after the museum of the same name in London. In 1975, it was renamed after Dr. Bhau Daji Lad, the man who had headed the initiative to raise funds for the construction of the museum.

The architecture is inspired by the style of the Italian architect Andreas Palladio and consists of Victorian pillars and high ceilings. It was designed by George Birdwood, the first curator of the museum. Outside the museum, the stone sculpture of an elephant can be seen.

This was moved here from the Elephanta Caves, an island in the east harbour of Mumbai which derived its name from this stone sculpture.

8. Bombay has among the largest concentration of art deco buildings in the world. One example of this style of architecture is the building shown in the picture. What does it house?

Answer: Cinema

The art deco style of architecture gained popularity in Bombay in the 1930s when land was being reclaimed to expand the island city. A large number of residential buildings along the sea front from Nariman Point to Chowpatty are built in this style. The construction of the Eros Cinema (shown in the picture) began in 1935 and it first began commercial operations in 1938.

The building is located opposite the Churchgate railway station. The red colour of the fa�ade is due to the use of Agra sandstone.

9. Tucked away into the quiet by lanes of Matunga is a temple called the Kochu Guruvayoor or Sree Ram Mandir. With its pyramidal top and intricate carvings, the architecture is reminiscent of the temples found in which part of India?

Answer: South

South Indian temple architecture is known as Dravidian architecture and the style has evolved over centuries with the various kingdoms of the south, including the Cholas, Pallavas and Hoysalas, having left their mark on it. The pyramidal tower of the temple is separated into multiple small, gradually receding stories. The tower is wholly covered with carvings of various mythological or religious characters.

Earlier Matunga was predominantly populated by people from south India, mainly Tamil Nadu, which explains the construction of the temple in this style.

10. One of the lesser known monuments of Mumbai is Hasanabad, a structure that would seem more at home in Delhi or Agra. Which of the following best describes this building?

Answer: Mausoleum

Hasanabad, found in the largely residential area of Mazgaon, is the mausoleum of Aga Khan I, the head of the Khoja sect of Muslims. It was built in 1884 and is constructed largely out of marble. The structure, painted light blue, consists of three domes and intricately carved minarets.

Source: Author zorba_scank

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LadyCaitriona before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Bombay (now known as Mumbai) is a potpourri of various different cultures, a fact which is also reflected in the different types of buildings found here. Take a look at some of the architectural styles the city is home to.

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