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.
An amphitheatre was constructed to entertain the public. In its place today
stands the Gateway of India.
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 (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. The Gateway was opened on 4 December 1924, by the Viceroy, theEarl of Reading
The Gateway of India is an arch monument built during the 20th century in Bombay, India. The monument was built to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India in 1911. At the time of the royal visit, the gateway was not yet built, and a cardboard structure greeted the monarch.
The foundation stone was laid in March 1913 for a monument built in the Indo-Saracenic style, incorporating elements of 16th-century Marathi architecture.
The final design of the monument by architect George Wittet was sanctioned only in 1914, and construction was completed in 1924. It was opened to the public on 4 December 1924 by then viceroy Reading.
The structure is an arch made of basalt, 26 metres (85 feet) high. The stones were sourced locally while the p
King George V & Queen Mary Leaving India, 1912 Photo
This is an old 1912 photo of King George V and Queen Mary leaving India. Seen here at Apollo Bunder is the royal couple leaving the shores of Bombay, now Mumbai. After their engrossing five-week visit to India for the 1911 Delhi Durbar. Apollo Bunder the precursor to the Gateway of India was a landing jetty. A place for embarkation and disembarkation complete with customs formalities for steamer passengers.
See my post- Apollo Bunder Before The Gateway Of India – Old Print 1874
The King and Queen are walking towards the jetty after a farewell ceremony in their honor. A Pavillion specially erected for the occasion is partially visible at the back. An amphitheater was also erected close to the Pavillion for a grand ceremony and reception to the departing Monarchs. They will board a special boat that will ferry them to the Royal yacht. The Taj Hotel and the Greens Hotel are also visible in the background.
Read also- Queen Mary: When I die, India will be found written on my heart.
Did you know- the last British ships set to sail in 1947 to leave the country from the Gateway of India making it a legend.
From the collection- Vintage Oleograph Raja Ravi Varma “Vishnu On Sheshnag”., 6 Old Photographs of British India Era Vintage Cars., Aerial View of Parliament New Delhi – Old Print 1946., Watson’s Hotel Bombay – Old Postcard 1907
