New Delhi: The Gateway of India is one of the most iconic structures in Mumbai. It was completed in 1924 and hence, this year marks the 100 years of the famous monument. Located on Mumbai’s waterfront, the arch-monument was erected to commemorate the landing of George V when he was coronated as the Emperor of India. Notably, he was the first British monarch to visit India. In this article, we will take a look at some of the interesting facts of the Gateway of India.
The arrival of the Emperor of India
The Gateway of India commemorated the arrival of Emperor of India, George V, and Empress consort Mary of Teck in India at Mumbai on December 2, 1911, ahead of the Delhi Durbar of 1911. It was the first time a British monarch had visited India. However, they saw only a cardboard model of the monument as the construction began in 1915.
The construction of the Gateway of India
On March 31, 1913, the Gateway’s foundation stone was laid and Sir George Sydenham Clarke, the then Governor of Bombay did it. In August 1914, the Gateway’s final design by George Wittet was sanctioned.
Before the construction of the Gateway, Apollo Bunder was a native fishing ground. Work was done between 1915 and 1919 to reclaim the land at Apollo Bunder for the construction of the Gateway along with a sea wall. The Gateway’s construction work was done by Gammon India.
100 years of Gateway of India
The construction of the Gateway of India ended in 1924 and on December 4 that year, it was opened to the public. After India gained Independence, the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry which was the last British troops to leave India, went through the Gateway with a 21-gun salute on February 28, 1948, which signalled the end of the British Raj.
Gateway of India: A jewel in the crown
The arch of the Gateway is 26 metres in height and its central dome is 15 metres in diameter. Built of yellow basalt and reinforced concrete, the stones were local while the perforated screens were from Gwalior. Its style is Indo-Saracenic architecture and many details were taken from the Gujarati regional style. The monument faces towards the Mumbai Harbour.
According to a professor at JNU, N. Kamala, the Gateway of India is a “jewel in the crown”. It commemorates the British colonial rule’s legacy and a British monarch’s first visit to India. It has become synonymous with the city of Mumbai. Over the year, the Gateway of India has remained amongst the most popular structures that visitors in Mumbai see.
The Gateway of India, a stunning Indo-Saracenic arch monument in Mumbai, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2024. Built to commemorate King George V’s visit, its construction involved reclaiming land and utilized local materials. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
