India Gate sounds synonymous to Delhi. It’s like an inevitable part of the popular listings of monuments in Delhi.
India Gate – Formerly known as All India War Memorial is a 42-metre high, arched structure that commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives while fighting for the British India during World War I (1914-1919). Located at the eastern end of the Rajpath, amidst the central Delhi. In the year 1921, Duke of Connaught laid the foundation stone for this memorial and was designed by great architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who was a leading designer of war memorials.
The architecture is breath-takingly attractive and inspired by the classical design of Paris’s Arc de Triomphe. The entire arch is made of red Bharatpur stone and rises in a moulding.
A broad, shallow doomed bowl incorporates on the rooftop of the archway. Initially, it was intended to be filled with flaming oil on various ceremonial occasions. However, no such fire is being noticed in the recent years.
Since this monument commemorates the war martyrs, above the archway is a small tribute that is inscribed in English. More than 13,000 Indian soldiers name are inscribed on the monument in small letters. After India became independent, another memorial was added, known as ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti.’ Its eternal flames dazzles day and night to fill visitors’ heart with a feeling of respect for each and every soul that sacrificed their lives for the nation during the Indo-Pakistan War (1971)
Lush-green gardens sprawl across this glorious structure and is an ideal choice to spend some quality time with loved ones. You can see the area jampacked with tourists, or local inhabitants – kids, youngsters, senior citizens.
The coloured-lights and the crystal-clear fountains nearby imparts a dramatic effect to India gate. They sway towards the brightly lit area and relish sitting in the gardens.
