Gateway of India: 9 facts you should know
The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India.
Mumbai’s Gateway of India is one of the major tourist attractions for national and international visitors. Millions of people visit the monument daily to evidence its architectural beauty.
The Gateway of India was built during British rule and was inaugurated on December 4, 1924. The foundation stone for this monument was laid on March 31, 1911.
It was built during the 20th century in Bombay, India, in the Indo-Sarcenic style (combination of India and Islamic architecture) with hints of Gujarati style influences.
Here are 9 facts about Gateway of India:
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The Gateway of India was erected in honour of King George V and Queen Mary’s landing at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India.
However, the foundation stone was laid on March 31, 1911, by the then-Governor of Mumbai, Sir George Sydenham Clarke.
The design of the monument took three years to pass and finally got sanctioned on March 31, 1911.
The archway of the monument is 26 meters (85 feet) high and joined with four turrets and intricate latticework carved on stones.
The archway of the monument is built of Basalt and about 21 lakhs was spent to build the arch alone.
The structure is an adaptation of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
During the rule of the British government, this was used as the arrival point for the visitors from the west.
The monument is surrounded by another of Mumbai’s major tourist attraction, the Marine Drive, facing the vast Arabian Sea.
The last British ships set to sail in 1947 to leave the country from the Gateway of India making it a legend.
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