Monday, September 3, 2007

Gateway to India - Sunday

The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, prior to the Darbar in Delhi in December 1911. The foundation stone was laid on March 31, 1911 by the Governor of Bombay Sir George Sydenham Clarke, with George Wittet's final design sanctioned 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 would be built. The foundations were completed in 1920, and construction was finished in 1924. The Gateway was opened on December 4, 1924 by the Viceroy, the Earl of Reading.
The last British troops to leave India, the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, passed through the gate in a ceremony on February 28, 1948.

Again cheating on the detail part. Another crowded tourist place. It was about the only place that was somewhat cool during our sightseeing. I must say it is impressive especially as it is in a fairly small space.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The buildings are just beautiful! I can not imagine what they look like in person, if you can get beyond the heat and smell and dirt.....and see any beauty :-)

I am sure happy you have someone to take you around and show you these things. Assume you will be working hard all week. Sure is neat to read about your visit to date, don't stop the notes!

Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers!

Love,

Linda