Gateway of India In Mumbai

GATEWAY OF INDIA

The Gateway of India is the most famous monument in Mumbai. It might be the most popular tourist site in Mumbai as you can see The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel from there. The Gateway of India which overlooks the Arabian Sea was built during the British Raj in India as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary.

☆The word “raj” in Hindi means “rule”. The British Raj is British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947.

The Gateway of India used to be the arrival point for visitors from the west during the British Raj. Ironically, when the British Raj ended in 1947, the last of the British ships sailed off to England from the Gateway of India as well.

Information via gatewayofindia.co.in, Mumbai.org.uk, mumbainet.com

Architectural Design Of Gateway Of India

The Gateway of India has a height of 26 meters. The design of the Gateway of India was done in the Indo-Saracenic style. Indo-Saracenic architecture was developed during the period of British India. During the late nineteenth century British architects blended Gothic with the work of the Mughal and other medieval Indian designs, which have the Muslim and Hindu elements, and created the Indo-Saracenic style. (information via Henry Irwin Architect & britishempire.co.uk) Another architecture that you can see the Indo-Saracenic style in Mumbai is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, previously known as Victoria Station.

I find the history behind the Gateway of India fascinating because this beautiful architectural style that represents the city of Mumbai would have not been born without the history of British India. Now the Gateway of India is probably the most popular tourist spot for Indian as well as international visitors. Another reason why many people visit the Gateway of India is to see The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai. The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai is so massive that if you stand right by its entrance, you can’t see the entire hotel. When I first laid my eyes on The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel from the Gateway of India, I felt moved and was hit by the feelings of realization that I had finally been in Mumbai because the photos of The Taj Mahal Palace was one of the first photos I have seen of Mumbai.

I can understand why some men decided to rest under the shades. I took my friends to the Gateway of India at the beginning of May which is the middle of the hottest time of the year in Mumbai.

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel was built by Jamsetji Tata of the Tata Family in the late 19th century and 21 years before the Gateway of India was built. The Tata family is the most powerful family who has contributed to the industrial development in India. For those who are familiar with Starbucks, the Tata Group has a joint venture with Starbucks and operates Starbucks outlets in India.

After we visited the Gateway of India, we headed to The Taj Mahal Place Mumbai and had a lovely afternoon tea at Sea Lounge inside The Taj Mahal Place. If you would like to see how the afternoon tea at Sea Lounge was, please click here.