Gateway of India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 The Gateway of India as seen from the harbour |
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  Shown within Mumbai
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| Building | |
| Architectural style | Indo-Saracenic |
| Location | Mumbai, India |
| Client | British Raj |
| Owner | Archaeological Survey of India |
| Coordinates | 18°55′19″N 72°50′05″E / 18.9220°N 72.8346°ECoordinates: 18°55′19″N 72°50′05″E / 18.9220°N 72.8346°E |
| Altitude | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Construction | |
| Started | 31 March 1911 |
| Completed | 1924 |
| Inaugurated | 4 December 1924 |
| Height | 26 m (85 ft) |
| Cost | 2.1 million rupees (1911) |
| Design team | |
| Architect | George Wittet |
The Gateway of India (Marathi: भारताचे प्रवेशद्वार) is a monument in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India. Located on the waterfront in Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai, the Gateway is a basalt arch 26 metres (85 ft) high. In earlier times, the Gateway was the monument that visitors arriving by boat would have first seen in the city of Bombay.[1]
The Gateway is built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. While it is combination and mixture of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Gate way of India is symbol of Hinduism & Islam. Much elements are derived from the Muslim architectural styles of 16th century Gujarat. Pillars are represents Hindu Temple and windows represent Muslim style.
The central dome is 15 metres (49 ft) in diameter and is 26 metres (85 ft) above ground at its highest point. The whole harbour front was realigned in order to come in line with a planned esplanade which would sweep down to the centre of the town. The cost of the construction was Rs. 21 lakhs (2,100,000), borne mainly by the Government of India. For lack of funds, the approach road was never built, and so the Gateway stands at an angle to the road leading up to it.[1]
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[edit] History
The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, prior to the Delhi Durbar, in December 1911. The foundation stone was laid on 31 March 1911, by the Governor of Bombay Sir George Sydenham Clarke, with the final design of George Wittet sanctioned in August 1914. Between 1915 and 1919 work proceeded on reclamations at Apollo Bundar for the land on which the gateway and the new sea wall would be built. The foundations were completed in 1920, and construction was finished in 1924. The Gateway was opened on 4 December 1924, by the Viceroy, the Earl of Reading.[1]
The last British troops to leave India, the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, passed through the Gateway in a ceremony on 28 February 1948.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Dwivedi, Sharada; Rahul Mehotra (1995). Bombay – The Cities Within. Mumbai: India Book House. ISBN 818502880X.
[edit] External links
Media related to Gateway of India at Wikimedia Commons- Gateway of India travel guide from Wikitravel
- Gateway of India
- Interactive Panorama: Gateway of India
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