Type: War Memorial

Started: 10 February 1921

Finished: February 12, 1931

Where is it Located: New Delhi INDIA

For what reason was it Built: War memorial of Undivided Indian Army fighters who laid their lives during the Second World War

Measurements: The women of Bara: Forty two metres in tallness; Nine. 1m in width; the complex composes of 625 meters distance and 306,000 meters square in the territory.

Materials Used: Yellow and red sand-stone and stone.

Building Style: Triumphal Arch

Creator: Sir Edwin Lutyens

Visit Timing: From early morning to the evening, or all the entire days of week.

Section Fee: No

India Gate is one of the significant well-structured monuments of New Delhi in India. This is a war memorial compound which is aimed at paying respect to the Indian soldiers who died while fighting for the British force during World War I and Afghan Wars. The monument is one of the most well known monuments in India and one of the defining images of India.

History

Discussions for the erection of the war memorial in India were initiated by Viceroy of India, Lord Hardinge in 1919. He proposed that the monument be put up in the memory of Indian soldiers who had perished in the Great War. The construction of the monument was started in the year 1921 and was over in the year 1931. It may be recalled that the cost of construction was around 13 lakh rupees and it was a huge amount of money in those days therefore it gave emphasis on indianisation.

Design

India Gates design competition was an open one which was conducted in the year 1921. The winner of the competition with the design of the new Capital was the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who had designed the new capital of India, New Delhi. The monument has a shape of the arcs and has been designed based on the Arc de Triomp e in Paris. Distinctly the arch is created in the Islamic style, but the structure and the pillars are inspired from the Roman arches.

The structure of India Gate is made from red and yellow sandstone which has deliberately provided it a royal aspect. The structure is 42 meters high and is located surrounded by green lawns and water fountains. At the apex of this monument there is a flame forming structure which is of Bronze and known as Amar Jawan Jyoti or Flame of the Immortal Soldier. This tower was built and installed to the monument in 1971 during Indo-Pak war, dedicated to the brave soldiers who lost their lives in war. It remains burn 24/7 and is an emblem of caliber and the Indian soldiers.

Significance

India Gate is one of the historical monuments which represents the history and culture of India. It is to remind the Indian soldiers who given their services to the British Army during the First World War and Afghan Wars. Indian tourist prefers to visit the monument and thousands of tourist visits the site every year. It is also the venue for several cultural shows and celebration of different fairs and festivals.

India Gate Monuments

Republic Day Parade

The Republic Day parade which is conducted every year on the 26th January passes through the India Gate. Some of the fun events include; Float Display where, colorful floats together with military bands form the bulk of the parade; cultural troupes, etc. It is participated by people from different part of the country and it is a show of the true Indian culture and traditions.

Tourist Attraction

India Gate is among the interesting centres for tourists from across the world to visit via India. The monument is rather tastefully illuminated during the night and the design is excellent. Here people go in order to have a rest, to take a walk and to contemplate the view at the monument. As for food items there are also numerous eateries, stalls and similar structures located near the monument and selling various types of souvenirs and trinkets as well.

Nearby Attractions

There are many other places of tourist interest around India Gate, and therefore it is regarded as an ideal place for tourists. The Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India is also situated in the vicinity. Also in its proximity is the National Museum that boasts of a wide collection of art and artifacts of India. Other well-known tourist sites found within the vicinity are Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and the Lotus Temple.

Inscriptions

There are many designs cut out of the monument and to be more specific the cornices of India Gate are beautifully made by engraving the emblem of the sun which denotes the British Imperial Colony. On the two sides touching the curves at the peak, the word INDIA is written and at the extreme left of the curves there is MCMXIV (1914) while at the extreme right MCMXIX (1919). Below this the following inscription is carved – “TO THE MISSING OF THE INDIAN ARMIES WHO DIED AND ARE Comemmorated IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS MESOPOTAMIA AND PERSIA EAST AFRICA GALLIPOLI AND ELSEWHERE IN THE NEAR AND THE FAR-EAST AND IN SAD MEMORY ALSO OF THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE HERE ENTERED AND WHO DIED IN INDIA OR THE Noted down on various media are the names of 13,218 war dead which includes a female staff nurturer of the Territorial Force who was raped and murdered in real life in 1917.

Amar Jawan Jyoti

Lying beneath the curve of India Gate is an institution of L1A1 Self-stacking rifle with swapped barrel, furnished by a protective war cover on a pedestal of black marble. Four urns surround the structure, with eternally burning flames supplied by CNG and on each side of the cenotaph those words ‘Amar Jawan’ are inscribed in gold. Often called as Amar Jawan Jyoti which literally means Flame of the Immortal Soldier, was lit in December 1971 following the Bangladesh Liberation War and the aim was to pay tribute to the Indian soldiers who were killed in the operation.

The dedication was conducted by the then Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi on Republic day that is 26th January in the year 1972. The consuming fire is continuously monitored by people from the three Indian Armed Forces, round the clock. Honour and privileged wreaths are placed by the Prime Minister of India and Chiefs of the Indian Armed Forces of India at the Amar Jawan Jyoti on Republic Day, Vijay Diwas and Infantry Day.

India Gate Monuments

Originally posted 2020-11-19 07:10:00.