India Gate

The India Gate is located in the center of New Delhi, the capital of India. It was made by Edwin Lutyens In 1921. This landmark in Delhi commemorates the members of the erstwhile British Indian Army who sacrificed their lives fighting for the Indian Empire in the Afghan Wars and World War I. After India got its independence, India Gate became the site of Amar Jawan Jyoti -Indian Army's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is counted among the largest war memorials in India. The Shrine of the Amar Jawan Jyoti is burning since 1971. It represents the flame of the immortal warrior that marks the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The shrine is made of black marble with a rifle placed on its barrel. This rifle is crested by a soldier's helmet. The words- "Amar Jawan" (Immortal Warrior) is inscribed in gold on each face of the cenotaph which is placed on an edifice. The edifice has four torches on its four corners, these torches are kept alive. This shrine of the India Gate in Delhi was uncovered on January 26, 1972 by the Prime Minister of India during that time- Indira Gandhi. Since then, it is customary for the President and the Prime Minister to pay homage at the site during State ceremonies. Even while guests visit the state, they come here to visit the India Gate in Delhi India and pay homage at the site.

Delhi is perhaps one of the most accurate microcosmic representations of the cosmopolitanism that characterizes India. The various influences that have sculptured the city into what she is like today include the influence of the British as well, who have left their mark on several of the architectural masterpieces in and around the city. One of these is the India gate, which can be credited to a large extent for representing India to the rest of the world.

Located in Rajpath, perhaps the most prestigious area in the entirety of the city of Delhi, the India Gate was built to commemorate the death of 90,000 India soldiers, who were killed in the North West Province during the First World War and the Afghan Conquest of 1919. Constructed in sandstone and rising to a height of 160 ft., the height of the arch is 136' externally and 87'6" internally. India Gate is also credited for being the first gate to be constructed in New Delhi. The names of the soldiers in whose memory the Gate was constructed is inscribed on its walls, beside which an eternal flame called the Amar Jawan Jyoti. The foundation stone of the memorial was laid by HRH the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and the monument was dedicated to the nation 10 years later by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin. The Amar Jawan Jyoti was added to the memorial after India had gained her independence, in memory of the soldiers of the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971.

Today, the India Gate is one of the most important symbols of India, being at the center of the itinerary of most of the tourists who visit the country's capital city. Whether it is eating out at the roadside eateries or enjoying a monkey show outside, India Gate offers entertainment for everyone. So in case you are planning a trip to the capital, make sure India Gate plays a pivotal role in your itinerary.