India’s long and layered history has always made it a magnet for global powers. At first, the attraction was trade—its rich exports of silk, cotton, and spices. Over time, these economic interests transformed into colonisation, bringing the Portuguese, French, Dutch, and British to its shores. While much of the craftsmanship already existed within India, the colonisers introduced their architectural styles, resulting in a fascinating blend of European design and Indian artistry.
Today, the legacy of that era still stands tall across India, from grand monuments and churches to railway stations and government offices. These structures are not just remnants of history but enduring symbols of an age that shaped India’s cities and skylines.
1. Victoria Memorial, Kolkata (British Empire)
Year of Completion: 1906
Architects: William Emerson and Vincent Esch
Commissioned by Lord Curzon in memory of Queen Victoria, the Victoria Memorial remains one of Kolkata’s most iconic landmarks. Its design reflects a fusion of British and Mughal architectural influences, inspired by the Taj Mahal. Built using white Makrana marble, the structure features a massive central dome rising 184 feet high, surrounded by four smaller domes. The memorial’s grand scale and pristine detailing embody the British desire to create monuments that would symbolise imperial glory.
2. Gateway of India, Mumbai (British Empire)
Year of Completion: 1924
Architect: George Wittet
The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the 1911 visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay. This 85-foot arch stands as one of the finest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture, a blend of Indian, Islamic, and European styles. Constructed from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete, its intricate carvings and latticework highlight British craftsmanship fused with Indian motifs. Today, it remains one of Mumbai’s most visited and photographed colonial-era monuments.
- Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa (Portuguese Empire)
Year of Completion: 1605
Architects: Julião Simão and Domingos Fernandes
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the most famous examples of Portuguese baroque architecture in India. Built with laterite stone from Bassein, the church houses intricate wooden interiors and detailed carvings. It is especially significant for containing the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, making it a site of deep spiritual and historical importance. The Basilica stands as a lasting symbol of Portuguese influence on Goa’s culture and architecture.
- Chennai Central Railway Station, Chennai (British Empire)
Year of Completion: 1873
Architect: George Harding
Originally serving as the main gateway to South India, Chennai Central remains one of the busiest railway stations in the country, with over half a million passengers daily. Built in the Gothic Revival style, its standout feature is a striking clock tower rising 136 feet high. The building’s red brick facade and pointed arches evoke a strong Victorian character, showcasing the engineering precision and aesthetic ambition of the British era.
- St. Francis Church, Fort Kochi (Portuguese Empire)
Year of Completion: 1516
Architect: Pedro Alvarez De Cabral
Among India’s oldest European churches, St. Francis Church represents early Portuguese colonial architecture. Initially built from wood, it was later reinforced with brick and mortar. The church has witnessed successive waves of colonial rule—Portuguese, Dutch, and British—each leaving subtle architectural imprints. Vasco da Gama, the famous Portuguese explorer, was originally buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Lisbon. The church stands as a quiet but powerful reminder of India’s maritime past.
- National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi (British Empire)
Year of Completion: 1954
Architects: Charles G. Blomfield and Francis Blomfield
Originally built as the residence of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and Maharani Gayatri Devi, this structure was later converted into the National Gallery of Modern Art. The building showcases a classical revivalist style with a unique butterfly-shaped layout and a dome inspired by the ancient Sanchi Stupa. Blending royal elegance with colonial grandeur, it stands today as a cultural landmark celebrating India’s artistic evolution.
- Writers' Building, Kolkata (British Empire)
Year of Completion: 1777
Architect: Thomas Lyon
The Writers’ Building began as the office for junior clerks, or “writers,” of the British East India Company. Over time, it became the administrative headquarters of the Bengal government. This 150-metre-long structure features a grand central portico and neo-classical facade, reflecting 18th-century British architecture. Post-Independence, it continues to serve as the seat of governance for West Bengal, linking colonial history with contemporary political life.
- Pondicherry Museum, Pondicherry (French Empire)
Year of Completion: 1983
Located in the heart of the former French colony, the Pondicherry Museum captures the city’s colonial charm through its yellow-and-peach facade and French inscriptions. Its collection of 81 Chola bronze sculptures is one of the largest in India, alongside archaeological artifacts from the Roman trade period. The building itself, with its arched verandas and open courtyard, reflects the French architectural style that still defines Pondicherry’s old quarters.
- Raj Niwas, Pondicherry (French Empire)
Year of Completion: 1906
Foundation: Pierre Benoît Dumas
Once the residence of the French Governor, Raj Niwas is an elegant example of French colonial design. The rectangular structure, with its central courtyard and arched colonnades, blends simplicity with grandeur. Its red-tiled roof contrasts beautifully against the white exterior, creating a striking visual appeal. Today, it serves as the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry and remains one of the city’s most significant colonial-era landmarks.
10. Victoria Terminus (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus), Mumbai (British Empire)
Year of Completion: 1887
Architect: Frederick William Stevens
Renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Mumbai’s most iconic landmarks. Designed in the Victorian Gothic Revival style, it features a grand central dome, turrets, and arched windows, all richly decorated with carvings and sculptures. The station remains a living monument, buzzing with train traffic and city life while representing the height of British architectural ambition in India.
Legacy of the Colonial Era
The colonial period left behind more than just monuments; it shaped India’s urban planning, aesthetics, and identity. Whether it’s the sweeping avenues of Lutyens’ Delhi or the Indo-Saracenic grandeur of Mumbai’s skyline, these architectural works narrate a complex story of exchange, adaptation, and power.
Colonial architecture in India is not just a reminder of the past, it’s a dialogue between cultures, a record of evolving design sensibilities, and a vital part of India’s built heritage. Each structure stands as a marker of its time, carrying within its walls the layered history of a nation that learned to blend, adapt, and redefine itself through architecture.
