Gateway Of India in Mumbai is an arch-monument built in the early 20th century to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary on December 2, 1911.
Standing 26 metres tall and overlooking the Arabian Sea, the iconic yellow basalt Indo-Saracenic structure, along with its adjacent heritage hotel Taj Mahal Palace, is a must-see attraction in Mumbai.
At the time of the royal visit, the gateway was not yet built though, and a cardboard structure greeted the monarch.
The final design of the monument by architect George Wittet was sanctioned only in 1914, and construction was completed in 1924.
During the British Raj, gateway was used as a symbolic entrance to India for important visitors from the West. Incidentally, the last of the British troops – the Somerset Light Infantry, left India in 1948, following Indian independence.
Today, Gateway of India is the starting point for the ferries taking tourists to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Elephanta Island, about 10 kms into the sea.
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World Heritage 