Gateway
of India
Gateway of India is located at Apollo Bunder
an area in south Mumbai, within the state Maharashtra, in India.
It is one of the most famous monuments and
has its own significance for its existence.
During colonize period Apollo Bunder was one
of the main landing place, whoever used to come to India they mostly came through
this harbor.
Idea to build a gate at the Apollo Bunder
came during the visit of the King George the Vth and Queen Mary to
India in 1911. As he was the first British King to visit India, the gate was
built to welcome him in a different way, but it was not the same you see it
today, at that time it was made up of plaster of palace, means it was a
temporary gate just built to commemorate the king and queen's visit.
The foundation stone was laid in 1911, but actual
design of Sir George Wittet was sanctioned in 1913 and finally the construction
was completed in December 1924.
George Wittet combined the elements of Roman triumphal arch and the 16th-century architecture of Gujarat
it is also called 16th century Victorian design with Hindu and
Muslim touch. The arch
is of Muslim style while the decorations of flowers on the walls are Hindu style.
It
is built from yellow basalt and reinforced
concrete .
The central dome is 48 feet (15 meters) in diameter and 83 feet (25 meters)
above the ground at its highest point
Apart from the King and Queen's visit there are
two more important events which make this gate very popular and tourist
attractions,
1- When Gandhi Ji came to Mumbai first time
ever he came through this gate and
2- When India got its Independence the troop
of the British Empire went through this gate.
