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Gateway of India |
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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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The foundation stone of the Gateway of India was laid down by the then Governor of Bombay (Mumbai) on March 31st 1913, the arch was built at the cost of 21 Lakhs. The archway is 26 meters high and joined with four turrets and intricate latticework carved on stones. Some influence of Gujarati style is also evident in its architecture. The structure itself is quite majestic and an unlikely hybrid of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and a Moorish palace.
There is a great historical significance related to the gateway of India. It is the point from where the last British troop had left India.
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