Farewell Ceremony At Gateway of India British Era Bombay, 1925 Postcard
In 1925, a farewell ceremony for a viceroy was likely in progress at the Gateway of India in British-era Bombay (Mumbai). An impressive turnout of troops in farewell ceremony of an outgoing British Viceroy of India is shown in this postcard. Since air travel had not come of age, travel by steamer was the norm at the time.
Commercial air travel for long distances was in a nascent stage. However, the first viceroy to arrive in India by air travel was in 1943. The Gateway of India, where the ceremony takes place, was built to commemorate King George V and Queen Mary’s visit to India. The royal couple where on their way to attend the Delhi Durbar in 1911. The Gateway’s construction began in 1912 and was completed by 1924.
Apollo Bunder where the monument is situated was a landing jetty for passengers arriving from overseas by steamer ships. However, by the 1930s the harbour for cruise ships was completed and passengers alighted at the harbour. The Gateway of India is today one of the most iconic landmarks of Bombay.
Did you know – that in 1947, the last British troops passed under the Gateway, ending colonial rule that lasted around 349 years.
Past posts – Painting of Fort St George Colonial Madras By British Soldier, 1851.
