ThisDayThatYear: A GATEWAY BEFORE THE GATEWAY

Thursday December 02,2021 by Team Khaki

This day, 110 years ago, King George V and Queen Mary became the first reigning British monarchs to visit India when they landed at Apollo Bunder. No Gateway of India greeted them on arrival. (The Gateway of India was built at the spot to commemorate their visit only in 1924.) Instead, a temporary structure made out of plaster-of-Paris resembling Agra’s Taj Mahal was built to welcome them. The royal couple visited St. Thomas’ Cathedral for a service before taking the train to Delhi from Ballard Pier.