Tuesday, February 8, 2011

MyWorld

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The Gateway of India, the most prominent icon of Mumbai.
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 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, the Earl of Reading. The well-known Jewish businessman and one of the greatest contributors to Mumbai, offering the largest donation for the construction effort, contributed 10 Lakhs of Rupees. Out of the total expenses, Gammon India claims that it did India's first pre-cast reinforced concrete job for the foundation of the Gateway of India.
The last British troops to leave India, the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, passed through the Gateway in a ceremony on 28 February 1948.
Its design is a combination of both Hindu and Muslim architectural styles, the arch is in Muslim style while the decorations are in Hindu style. The Gateway is built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. The stone was locally obtained, and the perforated screens were brought from Gwalior.
It was a crude jetty used by fisher folks and was later renovated and used as a landing place for British governors and other distinguished personages. In earlier times, the Gateway was the monument that visitors arriving by boat would have first seen in the city of Mumbai.

Info sourced from Wiki.

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32 comments:

  1. Great picture and information. The place is so full of history .

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  2. In my massive ignorance, I had not heard of the gateway...so your post was a delight. It's a great photo and thanks very much for the historical information.

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  3. Superb capture and thank you so much for the history/information! It makes the photo even more beautiful and interesting!

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  4. I like the way you post.The pic and a write up..Keep Going..

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  5. Greetings
    Excellent post -
    This place has been a Landmark in Bombay--er Mumbai history No visit is complete without a stop at the famous Gate to spend time -& observe and mornings from "Dawn to Sunrise" is really nice.
    Have spent time here with my Marine career -located in vicinity and also in training days
    here -thanks again
    Rgds
    Capt.TR
    Chennai.

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  6. Great looking gateway, a symbol of Indian history and loved the part about its design- 'a combination of both Hindu and Muslim architectural styles'....It still stands there a mute spectator and watches over our modern history ;)

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  7. What an impressive structure!

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  8. This brings back wonderful memories of my stay in Mumbai.

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  9. superbe ce batiment et cette place avec tous ces gens, cela donne une belle photo

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  10. Like the effect of light and shadows in the area. Lovely shot.

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  11. thanks so much for all information, it's very interesting and your picture is outstanding, a fabulous composition!
    Léia

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  12. Thanks for the information as well :-)

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  13. Just started getting your feed. Nice pic.

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  14. Beautiful photo of this famous landmark!

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  15. Wonderful world of yours. That's very beautiful architecture. A building with rich history and cultural heritage. Looks like a very busy place today. Thanks for sharing such an amazing part of your world.

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  16. made me senti coz hav found memories of appolo bundur :(

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  17. Oh how many evenings the L&M and I used to go for walks and eat chana as we watched the distant ships anchored for a berth. The crowds are larger now, though.

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  18. Oh how many evenings the L&M and I used to go for walks and eat chana as we watched the distant ships anchored for a berth. The crowds are larger now, though.

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  19. Great Historical monument we can never tire to admire!!

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  20. Good Morning Deepak, as usual, great pic n great infor :)

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  21. Wonderful architecture, great photo and info...
    Its great to know matters like this of historic value.

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  22. made me senti coz hav found memories of appolo bundur :(

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  23. Just started getting your feed. Nice pic.

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  24. Greetings
    Excellent post -
    This place has been a Landmark in Bombay--er Mumbai history No visit is complete without a stop at the famous Gate to spend time -& observe and mornings from "Dawn to Sunrise" is really nice.
    Have spent time here with my Marine career -located in vicinity and also in training days
    here -thanks again
    Rgds
    Capt.TR
    Chennai.

    ReplyDelete