 The Gateway of India, a name that is synonymous with Mumbai, is a majestic structure built during the British rule. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, prior to the Darbar in Delhi in December 1911. Quite interestingly, it was also the venue for the departure of the last British troops to leave India. The First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry passed through the gate in a historic ceremony held on February 28, 1948.
George Wittet, an architect trained in Scotland and well versed with the Indo-saracenic style, was the designer of this monument. He also designed many noteworthy buildings of that time including the Prince of Wales Museum, the Institute of Science, the Small Causes Court at Dhobi Talao, the Wadia Maternity Hospital, and the King Edwards Hospital. His design for the Gateway of India was given the final nod in 1914 and the structure was completed and opened on December 4, 1924 by the Viceroy, Earl of Reading.
The Formidable Arch – in Indo-saracenic form
The project entailed more work than merely building the structure. They had to first reclaim land at the Apollo Pier in order to erect the structure and then realign the entire harbour front so as to appear in line with a planned esplanade which would sweep down to the centre of the town. It actually took till 1920 to have the foundation in place. Finally, the structure did come up but sans the planned approach road due to paucity of funds. The cost of construction of the magnificent Gateway was around Rs. 21 lakhs, which was primarily borne by the government.
Built from yellow Kharodi basalt and reinforced concrete, the structure stands 83 feet tall at its highest point. The central dome itself is 48 feet in diameter. The Indo-saracenic architecture represents an amalgamation of Muslim designs and Indian materials developed by British architects in India during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The style drew elements from traditional Hindu and Islamic architecture, and blended it with the Gothic revival style which was much favoured in Victorian England. One can therefore not miss the obvious elements of Gujarati architecture in the monument.
Today, the triumphal arch defines the grandeur of a city that is a culmination of both, historic and modern cultural environment. It is a tourist’s ultimate destination and a photographer’s delight. However, years of environmental torment are now beginning to show and efforts are on to restore the structure to its former glory.
Ruchika Batra
Address:
Gateway of India, Colaba, Near Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai – 400 001
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