Sunday, May 31, 2009

Gateway of India

View-Gateway of India at Apollo Bunder
The Gateway of India is a monument in Mumbai(formerly Bombay). It is located on the waterfront in Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai. The arc of the Monument is 26 metres high built from yellow kharodi basalt & in reinforced concrete in Indo-saracenic style. it is combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The pillars of the Monument represents Hindu Temple and windows represent Muslim style of 16th century in Gujarat.
The central dome is 15 metres in diameter and is 26 metres above ground at its highest point. The cost of the construction was Rs. 21 lakhs (21,00,000) borne mainly by the Government of India. The approach road was never built due to lack of funds and so the Gateway stands at an angle to the road leading up to it.
History
The Writing on the Gateway of India which reads "Erected to commemorate the landing in India of their Imperial Majesties King George V and Queen Mary on the Second of December MCMXI".
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 which was approved 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 was to 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.
The last British troops, the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, passed through the Gateway in a ceremony held on 28 February, 1948 while leaving India.

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