However, while the Taj is purely aesthetic in its appeal, the Victoria Memorial exemplifies the grandeur of imperialism. Ornate bronze gateways welcome the visitor to the sprawling grounds, with their lakes, trees and flowering plants. A tree-lined approach leads to a statue of Queen Victoria in her full regalia, seated on a throne. Several other elegant statues also dot the ground. A bronze statue of an angel tops the domed memorial.
Wide stairs lead to the central hall.
The hall is nearly 50 m. high, with a balcony at about half its height running along the perimeter. On the balcony there are murals depicting scenes from the Queen's coronation and other historical events of her reign. Inside the hall there are 25 galleries containing around 3,500 articles of the Queen's use. There is her rosewood piano and writing desk, her letters and manuscripts. Portraits of Queen Mary, King George, Queen Victoria and of several early British administrators adorn the walls.