Newly Completed Gateway Of India Bombay, 1924 Photo
A 1924 photo shows the Gateway of India being completed in Bombay (Mumbai). The image shows the iconic monument on the verge of completion by workers. The Gateway of India stands on Apollo Bunder facing the Arabian Sea. Another famous landmark, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, is its neighbour, along with the Royal Bombay Yacht Club.
The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. The only British Monarch to visit India during the British Raj. It was designed by George Wittet. Who had designed the Triumphal Arch for the King and Queen’s welcome ceremony at Apollo Bunder.
Preceding this, Wittet had designed an impressive list of buildings in the Indo-Saracenic style. Including the Prince of Wales Museum and the Royal Institute of Science buildings in Bombay. Preparatory work began in 1914-15 by way of reclamation to enlarge the piece of land for the foundation work. The Gateway was completed by 1924, this rare photo shows the final stages of its finishing work in progress. Click on the photo for better view.
Did you know – that Sir Jacob Sassoon, the Jewish industrialist of Bombay, donated a sum of Rs 3 lakhs for the construction of the monument.
From the collection-11 Picture Postcards On Raja Ravi Varma Oil Paintings., Old Book – From Lisbon To Calicut 1956
