Gateway
of India 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. |
