Gateway of India
Discover Gateway of India
Last updated on October 20, 2026Introduction
The Gateway of India is a 26-metre basalt arch on the Apollo Bunder waterfront in South Mumbai. Its foundation stone was laid in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary; George Wittet's final design was approved in 1914 and the monument was completed in 1924.
Its ceremonial purpose belonged to the British Empire, but the surrounding plaza now functions as a public Mumbai waterfront and a departure point for harbour boats, including services toward the Elephanta Caves.
The most revealing view includes the water, ferry movement and neighbouring Taj Mahal Palace. The arch is not an isolated object: it organised arrival at the edge of a working port city.
Architecture
The central arch rises 26 metres. Basalt gives the monument a dark, weighty surface, while the opening frames changing harbour traffic.
Indo-Saracenic design combines an Islamic arch and dome vocabulary with Gujarati-derived detail. Four corner turrets extend the silhouette beyond the single opening.
The seaward face matters as much as the landward one. Steps and the former landing relationship explain why the structure was conceived as an entrance rather than a free-standing triumphal arch on an avenue.
How it was built and evolved over time
The foundation was laid before the final form was settled. After Wittet's design was sanctioned in 1914, the Apollo Bunder edge was reshaped to support a monumental landing composition rather than the earlier informal jetty.
Builders used basalt for the 26-metre arch and developed corner turrets and carved detail around a large central opening. The form had to read from both land and harbour.
Later waterfront management changed how people approach it. Security barriers and ferry circulation now structure the plaza, but the alignment between arch and sea remains the essential architectural idea.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is the Gateway?
The arch rises 26 metres.
When was it completed?
Construction was completed in 1924.
Who designed it?
George Wittet produced the final design approved in 1914.
Is entry free?
The public plaza is free; boat trips are separate paid services.
Do Elephanta ferries leave here?
Services normally use the Gateway area, but current operation and return times must be confirmed.