Gateway of India – India's very own Arc de Triomphe

Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, is one of the most affluent cities in India. Stowed amidst the Mumbai skyline are some wonderful spectacles portraying paradigms of architecture representing varied styles and periods. These are historical landmarks and monuments built in line with styles like Indian, Indo-Saracenic, Indo-European, English Gothic and Venetian. You will also find examples of Mughal and Gujarati influenced designs as you explore further.

When you tour the city you are bound to come across Mumbai's top historic attractions. They include spectacular landmarks like Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, ancient caves like Elephant and Kanheri over and above colonial forts like Mumbai and Vasai.

Most of Mumbai city tours begin with one particular landmark that stands above the rest, overlooking the waterfront of Apollo Bunder in South Mumbai. This is the magnificent Gateway of India. It is a significant monument designed by Scottish architect George Wittet, inspired by the Parisian Arc de Triomphe. Gateway of India was built in honour of the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, as Mumbai used to be called, on 2nd December 1911.

Its foundation stone was laid in March 1911, but consent for the plan to build the landmark was given only in 1914. It took another five years to claim the site at the waterfront of Apollo Bunder, and in 1920 they finally commenced construction. After a lapse of four more years the Gateway of India was completed. It was inaugurated on the fourth of December 1924.

Over the years Gateway of India played many roles, from a fishermen's jetty to landing and embarking spot of British ships. Today it stands tall as the pride of India, adorning the skyline with its stunning architecture and connecting its colonial past with the contemporary Mumbai.

The Gateway of India was built in line with the architecture style known as Indo-Saracenic, which is a combination of Hindu and Muslim architectures. It has three pointy arches that follow the Mughal style, while its exquisite exterior decorations follow Hindu style. The monument's central arch reaches 26 metres in height at its highest point and spans about 15 metres in diameter. The monument is also said to be influenced by Gujarati styles.

The Gateway of India was built using reinforced concrete and yellow basalt. Its facade boasts an attractive earthy tone that changes its hues according to the time of the day. As you step closer to this lofty monument you can observe some elaborate latticework crafted on the yellow basalt stone. You will also see four slender turrets flanking the massive central arch. At the back of the arch there is a stairway leading to the waters.

Visit India's very own Arc de Triomphe, the Gateway of India, while staying at one of the hotels in Mumbai, or even take a boat ride across its scenic natural harbour. If extravagance is your style, then how about staying at one of the top Mumbai five star hotels like The Leela Kempinski Mumbai? Resting in the business district of Sahar just five minutes from the international airport, this luxury hotel is tucked in a peaceful sprawl of 11 acres. Even the business and IT districts are just minutes away to the guests of this premier luxury hotel in Mumbai.