The Imperial, triumphal Gateway

The Foundation stone of the Gateway of India is laid down today in 1913. This would be a symbol of Imperial dominance over India, and commemorative of the visit of the King-Emperor George V.

The Gateway of India; Source: Public Domain

King-Emperor George V and Queen-Emperor Mary visited India in 1911. At that time, there was no worthy monument of note to greet them in Mumbai - they would have to wait till they got to the Red Fort in Delhi. This was the first visit of an active British monarch to India, and it needed a proper commemoration.

Thus on the 31st of March, 1913, was laid the foundation stone of what would become the Gateway of India, in Bombay. This was to be an arch-gate structure built in honour of the imperial visit a couple of years ago. Sir Clarke, the Governor of Bombay, laid down its stone, and construction would only begin by 1915. The Gateway along with all the reclaiming and sea wall work would be finished by 1924 and declared open.

The main archway was 26 metres tall, with a 15-metre high dome. Yellow Basalt and reinforced concrete, with some Gwalior screens, form the construction material of the monument. Latticework (jalis) are also present.

The architecture of the place was a mixture of Indo-Saracenic styles and Neoclassical styles. The jaalis and the domes reflected a 16th century, Gujarati-Mughal style, while the arch itself was a copy of the Roman triumphal arch, which neoclassical styles imitated.

These were not merely by coincidence - the British wanted to portray themselves as both ‘Indian’ and foreign at the same time. By Indian, they could claim a succession with the other empires ruling over centuries in India, thus acquiring legitimacy over their rule. By adding Roman and other foreign elements to their rule, they retained their distinct identity, as well as the triumphal nature of their conquest over India and Indians.

The moment today serves as a popular tourist attraction and a reminder of colonial hubris, although that might be largely forgotten.