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Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is synonymous with Mumbai. It is the most famous monument of Mumbai and is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. Gateway of India is a great historical monument built during the British rule in the country. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai (then, Bombay). Gateway of India was built at Apollo Bunder, a popular meeting place. It was designed by the British architect, George Wittet.

The foundation stone of the Gateway of India was laid down by the then Governor of Bombay (Mumbai) on March 31st 1913. The archway is 26 meters high and joined with four turrets and intricate latticework carved on stones. The arch alone was built at the cost of 21 lakhs. It is built in Indo-Sarcenic style, though some influence of Gujarati style is also evident in its architecture. The structure itself is quite majestic and a hybrid of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

In the past Gateway of India used to be the arrival point for visitors from the west. 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. This landmark of Mumbai is a must visit of the city.

The Gateway faces the vast Arabian Sea, flanked by Mumbai's another attraction, Marine Drive, a road running parallel to the sea. The majestic monument is a must-visit at night, in its pristine glory against the backdrop of the sea. It is visited by millions of people across the world every year and is a very significant figure in the lives of the people of Mumbai, as the Gateway defines the grandeur of the city that is a culmination of both, historic and modern cultural environment.

Gateway of India is as an important landmark in the history of India. All those who travel to Mumbai make it a point to visit the monument. We bring to you some of the most interesting facts about the Gateway of India.

Read on to find out more. 

• Gateway of India was built in the year 1920 by the Government of India.

• The nature of the building is that of a gateway.

• The foundation of the building was laid on March 31, 1911.

• It was in 1914 that Indian Government sanctioned the design for the monument. The design was given by George Wittet.

• The cost of the construction was a sum of Rs. 21 lakh, borne mainly by the Government of India.

• For lack of funds, the approach road to the Gateway was never built. This is why it stands at an angle to the road leading up to it.

• The Gateway has been built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete.

• While it is Indo-Saracenic in architectural style, elements are derived from the Muslim architectural styles of 16th century Gujarat and local styles of architecture as well.

• The central dome is 15 meters in diameter and reaches to a height of 26 meters above ground.

• The Viceroy, Earl of Reading inaugurated the gateway in Mumbai, on December 4, 1924.

• The whole harbor front was re-laid so that it would sweep down to the centre of the town.

• The Gateway has four turrets and is designed with intricate latticework.

• The First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry was the last of the British troops which left India after its Independence. Incidentally, while retreating, the troop passed through the Gateway, in a ceremony on February 28, 1948.

• As a matter of fact, even the last of the British ships, set sail for England from Gateway of India in Mumbai

• Behind the Gateway, steps lead down to the waterfront, where boat trips can be had to locations such as Elephanta Island.

• The statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Swami Vivekananda were installed later at the Gateway.