Built in the Indo-saracenic style, The Gateway of India is a monument built during the British Raj in Mumbai, India. It is located on the waterfront in the Apollo Bunder area, South Mumbai and overlooks the Arabian Sea. The structure is a basalt arch, 26 metres high. This is one of the monuments that were used as the crude jetty through the fisher folks and then it was renovated.
The construction was completed in 1924, and the Gateway opened on December 4, 1924 by the Viceroy, Earl of Reading. British governors used this place as the landing place and it was occupied by the distinguished passengers as well. There was an era, when this monument was seen by all those people that used to arrive through the help of boat and they would be witnessing the Bombay city.
This monument has been built with yellow basalt as well as reinforced concrete. The stones were obtained locally and perforated screens were purchased from Gwalior. The central dome of this monument is approximately 49 feet and that is 15 meters in the diameter range and it is also 85 feet that is 26 meters above the ground and that is located on its highest point. The harbor has been realigned and the planning of esplanade has been made through which sweeping can be done from the down stage.
Mumbai's most famous monument, this is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of epitaph: the last of the British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway.
Mumbai's most famous monument, this is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of epitaph: the last of the British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway.
Today this symbol of colonialism has got Indianised, drawing droves of local tourists and citizens. Behind the arch, there are steps leading down to the water. Here, you can get onto one of the bobbing little motor launches, for a short cruise through Mumbai's splendid natural harbour.
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