Interesting Facts about Gateway of India

Facts about Gateway of India

•    Gateway of India was built by the Government of India in the year 1920.
•    The nature of the building is that of a gateway i.e. the visitors who came by sea-route, for them it was a gateway to India.
•    The foundation of the building was laid on March 31, 1911.
•    The surprising fact is after three years of the foundation the Indian Government sanctioned the design of Gateway of India. The design was given by George Wittet in the year 1914.
•    The cost of the construction was a sum of Rs. 21 lakh, borne mainly by the Government of India.
•    For lack of funds, the approach road to the Gateway was never built. This is why it stands at an angle to the road leading up to it.
•    Yellow basalt and reinforced concrete are the materials used in constructing the Gateway.
•    Though it is built in Indo-Saracenic style there are certain elements that are derived from the Muslim architectural styles of 16th century Gujarat and local styles of architecture as well.
•    The diameter of the central dome is 15 meters and it reaches to a height of 26 meters above ground.
•    The inauguration ceremony took place on 4th December 1924. It was inaugurated by The Viceroy, Earl of Reading.
•    The whole harbor front was re-laid so that it would sweep down to the centre of the town.
•    The Gateway has four turrets and is designed with intricate latticework.
•    The last British troop that left India after the independence was the first battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry.
•    The most interesting fact is that, the last ship of the Britisher’s set sail for England from Gateway of India in Mumbai.
•    The steps on the backside of Gateway of India lead to the waterfront where you can board the bots to Elephanta caves.
•    The statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Swami Vivekananda were installed later at the Gateway.