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Mumbai's
most famous monument, this is the starting point for most
tourists who want to explore the city. It was built as a
triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V
and Queen Mary, complete with four turrets and intricate
latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone.
Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947, this colonial
symbol also became a sort of epitaph: the last of the
British ships that set sail for England left from the
Gateway. Today this symbol of colonialism has got
Indianised, drawing droves of local tourists and
citizens. Behind the arch, there are steps leading down
to the water. Here, you can get onto one of the bobbing
little motor launches, for a short cruise through
Mumbai's splendid natural harbour.
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