The Gateway of India in Mumbai, a ceremonial arch monument overlooking the Arabian Sea, was designed by which architect?

Introduction / Context:
The Gateway of India in Mumbai is a famous colonial era monument that symbolised the ceremonial entrance of British royalty and officials into India by sea. Knowing who designed this structure helps students connect Indian colonial architecture with individual architects and broader architectural movements. It also distinguishes local colonial architects from well known modern global architects who worked in later periods and other regions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The monument is the Gateway of India in Mumbai.
• The question asks for the architect who designed it.
• Options include Frank Lloyd Wright, George Wittet, Frank Gehry, and Zaha Hadid.
• We assume students know that it was constructed in the early twentieth century under British rule.

Concept / Approach:
The Gateway of India was designed by the Scottish architect George Wittet, who worked extensively in Bombay (now Mumbai) during the British period. The other architects listed are twentieth and twenty first century figures known mainly for work in the United States and Europe, or for modern and contemporary designs not connected to colonial India. Recognising this difference in period and context is the key to identifying the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Gateway of India was built during the British Raj to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. Step 2: Know that the design followed Indo Saracenic and classical influences typical of colonial Bombay. Step 3: Connect this to George Wittet, a colonial architect responsible for several important buildings in Bombay. Step 4: Recognise that Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Gehry, and Zaha Hadid are famous international architects associated with very different styles and regions. Step 5: Select George Wittet as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbooks and reliable reference materials on Indian architecture consistently credit George Wittet with the design of both the Gateway of India and other notable Bombay buildings like the Prince of Wales Museum. In contrast, Frank Lloyd Wright worked mainly in the United States, Frank Gehry is known for deconstructivist buildings like the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and Zaha Hadid for futuristic designs worldwide. None of them is linked to colonial Bombay monuments.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Frank Lloyd Wright: An American architect associated with the Prairie School and organic architecture, not with the Gateway of India.
Frank Gehry: A contemporary architect whose famous works are in North America and Europe, not colonial Mumbai.
Zaha Hadid: A modern Iraqi British architect known for highly futuristic designs, active long after the Gateway of India was built.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may recognise the names of global star architects and be tempted to choose them without considering the historical period. The key is to first identify the era of the monument (early twentieth century British India) and then associate it with a colonial architect working locally, in this case George Wittet. This reasoning prevents confusion with later international figures.

Final Answer:
The Gateway of India in Mumbai was designed by the architect George Wittet.