Municipal Corporation Building, Mumbai

Driving into the old colonial core of Bombay - now Mumbai, you are spoiled for choice for "Traces of Past Empires". There is the former Victoria Terminus, High Court, Taj Hotel and Museum.

However I have chosen a Grade IIA heritage building, the Municipal Corporation Building or BMC, houses the Mumbai City Corporation founded in 1865. It is opposite the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus or VT.

The BMC opened in December 1893 after 10 years building. Designed by F W Stevens it is described as Gothic, but is in a definitely Indian style. The gable has a winged allegorical figure representing 'rubs prima in Indis' - the first city of India.

Mumbai is administered from here including public health and hospitals, parks, sewage, rubbish disposal, cemeteries, markets, security and lighthouses. There is a Municipal Commissioner and Mayor. The Corporation Council of 227 is up for election today and all alcohol sales in bars and hotels has been banned for 3 days.