Gateway of India, Mumbai
About
Gateway of India was built with yellow stone
in Indo- Sarcenic style to commemorate the visit
of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay and
since has become the Icon of Twentieth century
Indian history. It is also remembered as the
point from where the last British troops left
the shores of independent India. To commemorate
King George and Queen Mary's visit to India
in 1911, the Gateway of India was built at Apollo
Bunder, a popular meeting place. The Gateway
was built by the British and designed by the
architect George Wittet. The first stone was
laid by the then Governor of Bombay on March
31st, 1913. This triumphal arch was built at
an astonishing cost of 21 lakhs, and was open
to the public in 1924. A conventional Arch of
Triumph inspires its 26 metre high archway.
It is complete with four turrets and intricate
latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone.
Ironically, when the British 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. Influences
of the 16th century Gujarati style are also
evident in its architecture. Situated next to
the Taj Mahal Intercontinental Hotel, it is
the most enduring landmark of Mumbai.
Appropriate beginning
It is the starting point for most tourists who
want to explore the city. When a visitor comes
to Mumbai by sea he sees a 26 m high structure.
This structure is the icon of Mumbai. Today
this symbol of colonialism has got Indianised,
drawing droves of local tourists and citizens.
Information for Tourists
Behind the arch, there are steps leading down
to the water where one can get onto one of the
bobbing little motor launches, for a short cruise
through Mumbai's splendid natural harbour. One
can easily buy tickets for a short cruise on
the motor launches from here. From Colaba, the
Gateway of India is barely ten minutes away
by cab. Between 1915 and 1919, the land on which
the Gateway was to be built was reclaimed from
the sea and a new sea wall was built. This monument
is a rather lavish expression of imperial supremacy
but is also an apt epitaph as the last of British
troops, post independence in 1947, marched through
the Gateway and onto the ships, which took them
back to England. The structure itself is quite
majestic and an unlikely hybrid of the Arc de
Triomphe in Paris and a Moorish palace.
Attractions Around
Close by are the statues of the Maratha leader
Shivaji astride his horse and of Swami Vivekananda,
adding to the charm of this monument. Both these
statues are a recent addition to the Gateway
landscape and stand in the middle of a formal
front lawn, which is a popular gathering place
for the public and tourists, especially on weekends.
The changing light of the rising and setting
sun gives varied hues of gold, rust and pink
to the imposing arch. Historically, the Gateway
holds greater significance as the last of the
British troops left Independent India by sea,
marched through its portals.
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