%b%crGateway of India%b%c* and other Mumbai, India Things to Do Tips

This is probably Mumbai’s most famous landmark and monument, standing as a commemoration to the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay in 1911. Work was completed in 1924, 4 years after the foundation stone was laid. The memorial is made up of yellow basalt stone with four turrets and intricate latticework. Through the early years, the archway greeting numerous governors, viceroys and top civil servants to the city from steamers moored out in the harbour. Near the Gateway is a statue of Chhatraptin Shivaji and statue of Swami Vivekhanda.

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Address: Apollo Bunder

In 1948, the last of the British troops to leave India, passed through the 26 metre high gate during a ceremony before leaving India by sea. The Gateway is a gathering point for those wishing to take ferries to beaches and also to Elephanta Island.

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Address: Apollo Bunder

Right behind the Gateway of India and beside the Taj Mahal hotel is an intrepid looking fella on a horse. This is a statue of the Maratha leader who was commemorated for his defiance against the Moghul Emperors. The statue was erected in 1960

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Address: Near the Taj Mahal Hotel, Colaba

This grand Byzantine building from the late 1800’s has gone through some name changes and purposes over the year. Originally the Royal Albert Sailors Home which accommodated some 360 seamen , it then became the old council hall and finally today it is the home of the Maharashtra Police. Prior to any building at all, the land was the site of Bombay’s first British cemetery.

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Address: Apollo Bandar Road

The Rajabai Clock Tower is a prominent feature of the Mumbai University complex. The clock has been likened to Big Ben in London. Apparently in the old days it used to play Rule Britannia, God Save the King and a Handel Symphony along with 13 other tunes that changed four times a day. Now with the British rule long gone, it now only plays the chimes of Big Ben every quarter hour. Standing at 280 feet tall, it was named after the mother of a 19th century stockbroker, who helped to fund the building of the tower and library that lies underneath the clock. The magnificent 5 storey spiral staircase was once open to the public but was closed after to visitors after several discontented citizens hurled themselves from the top.

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Address: Bhaurao Patil Road
Directions: Situated in the gardens of Mumbai University

This university is situated between the Old Secretariat and the High Court and has been around since 1857. Of course was earlier known as the University of Bombay. It is one of the oldest and best Universities in India with a five star ranking. There are several campuses to the University also in Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. The original campus is in Fort, the downtown area of Mumbai.

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Address: Bhaurao Patil Road
Directions: Closest railway station - Churchgate station

The Fort campus of the university was built in the Gothic style of architecture. The library which comprises two floors in the clock tower, holds many original manuscripts. The administration division is also based here.

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Address: Mumbai University, Bhaurao Patil Road

Convocation Hall was built between 1869 and 1874 and is very ornate with highly decorative French Gothic style windows. The main building has turrets along with a gabled roof with a large circular window. There are also twelve stained glass skylights which depict the signs of the zodiac. The guide that was taking me around knew the main artist restoring these stained glass windows and he was happy to discuss with us the procedure and painstaking care that goes into restoring windows like these so as to have them back as near as possible to their original state. He was so passionate about his work and so willing to show even the photos of before the restoration, then the actual art of restoration and some of the finished product.

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Address: Mumbai University, Bhaurao Patil Road

The GPO was of particular interest to me, not just for the wonderful architecture which is stated as being in the Indo-Sarcenic style but also because my Grandfather was the Postmaster here during the early part of the 1900’s. It is difficult from the street to see the vastness of the entire building because of the large leafy trees that surround it.

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Address: St. Georges Road
Directions: Just behind the Victoria Terminus. opposite Bazargate, the old northern entrance to the Fort

The building was completed in 1913 although some information has its origins in the 1870’s. It is constructed of Black basalt, yellow Kurla stone and white stones from Dhrangdra and takes up an area of 120,000 sqft. It is the largest GPO in India and features an ethereal central hall which rises up to the great dome. The interior of the building is said to have high vaulted ceilings, sweeping staircases as well as other reflections of the wealth of the early British rulers. I didn't get to go inside to check this out myself as I only had time to stand in the middle of the busy intersection, dodging about seven different modes of transport, trying to get the photo for my Dad.

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Address: St. Georges Road