Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is a monument built during the British Raj in Mumbay (formerly Bombay), India. It is located on the waterfront in the Apollo Bunder area, South Mumbai and overlooks the Arabian Sea. The structure is a basalt arch, 26 metres (85 feet) high. It lies at the end of Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg at the water’s edge in the harbor of Bombay. It was a crude jetty used by the fishing community which was later renovated and used as a landing place for British governors and other prominent people. In earlier times, it would have been the first structure that visitors arriving by boat in Mumbai would have seen.

The Gateway has also been referred to as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai, and is the city’s top tourist attraction. The structure was erected to commemorate the landing of their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder, when they visited India in 1911. Built in Indo-Saracenic style, the foundation stone for the Gateway of India was laid on 31 March 1911. The final design of George Wittet was sanctioned in 1914 and the construction of the monument was completed in 1924. The Gateway was later the ceremonial entrance to India for Viceroys and the new Governors of Bombay. It served to allow entry and access to India. The monument has faced three terror attacks from the beginning of the 21st century; twice in 2003 and it was also the disembarkation point in 2008 when four gunmen attacked the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower.

The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit 26 m (85 ft) Height of King Technical details George V 15 metres (49 feet) and Queen Diameter Mary to Design and construction Mumbai, India Client prior to the Delhi Archaeological Survey of Owner Durbar, in India December The wrwitings on the Gateway of India 1911. which reads “Erected to commemorate the George Wittet Architect However, landing in India of their Imperial Majesties Gammon India[1] Architecture firm they only King George V and Queen Mary on the got to see Second of December MCMXI” Renovating team only a George Wittet Architect cardboard model of the structure since the construction did not begin till 1915.[12] 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 on 31 March 1913.

The gateway was built from yellow basalt and concrete.[13] Between 1915 and 1919, work proceeded on reclamation’s at Apollo Bundar (Port) 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.[14] The gateway was opened on 4 December 1924, by the viceroy, the Earl of Reading.[6] The last British troops to leave India following the country’s independence, the first Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, passed through the gateway on their way out in a ceremony on 28 February 1948, signalling the end of its rule.[6][15]

Design and structure
The architect George Wittet combined the elements of the Roman triumphal arch and the 16th century architecture of Gujarat.[16] Its design is a combination of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles; the arch is of Muslim style while the decorations are of Hindu style.[17] The gateway is built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete.[12] The stone was locally obtained, and the perforated screens were brought from Gwalior.[18] The gateway faces out to Mumbai Harbour from the tip of Apollo Bunder.[19] The central dome is 48 feet (15 metres) in diameter and 83 feet (25 metres) above the ground at its highest point.[20] 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. On each side of the arch, there are large halls that can hold 600 people.[12] The cost of the construction was 21 lakh (US$38,200), 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.[6][20]

Significance
It is the place where the viceroys and governors used to land upon their arrival in India. Though built as a welcome to King George V for his visit of 1911, then an event of grand significance for British India and the British empire, today serves as a “monumental memento” of colonialisation and subjugation by the British over the people of India.[11] Built right next to the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower hotel,[21] for Britishers arriving for the first time to India, the gateway was a symbol of the “power and majesty” of the British empire.[3] Opposite the gateway stands the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the king who used guerilla warfare to establish the Maratha empire in the Sahyadri mountain range in the 17th century,[22] as a symbol of Maratha “pride and courage”.[23] The statue was unveiled on 26 January 1961 on the occasion of India’s Republic Day.[24][25] The other statue in the area is that of Swami Vivekananda.[26] There are five jetties at the gateway.[27] The first jetty is exclusive to the Atomic Research Centre, the second and third are used for commercial ferry operations, the fourth is closed and the fifth is exclusive to the Royal Bombay Yacht Club.

The Gateway of India is a major tourist destination and a popular gathering spot for locals, giant-balloon sellers and photographers.[19] In 2012, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation decided to shift its venue for the 23 years old festival; “Elephanta Festival of music and dance” to gateway, following its capacity. The gateway can host 2,000 to 2,500 people, while, Elephanta Caves can host 700 to 800 peoples.

Gateway of India thronged by tourists.

After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, there has been a proposal to close all these jetties and replace them with two newer ones to be built near the Bombay Presidency Radio Club nearby.[28] The second and third jetties are the starting point for tours of Elephanta Caves, which is a 50-minute boat ride away by ferry.[21][29] Other routes from the Gateway include ferry rides to Alibaug and Mandwa; these ferries are said to carry passengers above their certified capacity due to their popularity.[30]

Seen here is the crowd, which includes international and local tourists, local photographers with the monument at the background.

Terror attacks
A bomb planted in a taxi exploded near the gateway in the 2003.[9] The gateway was also the site of a major bomb-blast in August 2003 and was the disembarkation point of the terrorists participating in the November 2008 terror attacks when four gunmen attacked the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower.[33] Public movement in certain areas was restricted after the 2008 attacks.[34]

References

1. ^ “Which company built the Gateway of India?” (http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2007/may/04quiz.htm) . Rediff.com. 4 May 2007. http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2007/may/04quiz.htm. Retrieved 30 April 2012. 2. ^ National Portal Content Management Team. “National Portal of India, Monuments” (http://india.gov.in/knowindia/culture_heritage.php?id=34) . National Informatics Centre (NIC). http://india.gov.in/knowindia/culture_heritage.php?id=34. Retrieved 23 April 2012. 3. ^ a b Pg no. 582 4. ^ DNA (24 April 2012). “Walk amid a wealth of heritage in Mumbai” (http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_walk-amid-a-wealth-of-heritage-in-mumbai_1679827) . DNA India (Mumbai). http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_walk-amid-a-wealth-of-heritage-in-mumbai_1679827. Retrieved 24 April 2012. 5. ^ Holloway, James (29 November 1964). “Gateway of India; Colorful, Crowded Bombay Provides An Introduction to Subcontinent” (http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html? res=F30D14F83A5D1A728DDDA00A94D9415B848AF1D3) . The New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30D14F83A5D1A728DDDA00A94D9415B848AF1D3. Retrieved 26 November 2012. (subscription required) 6. ^ a b c d Dwivedi, Sharada; Rahul Mehotra (1995). Bombay – The Cities Within. Mumbai: India Book House. ISBN 81-85028-80-X. 7. ^ Arnett, Robert (15 July 2006). India Unveiled (http://books.google.com/books? id=Tmn91va2e4UC&pg=PT166)