INDIA GATE -:
About India
Gate
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This magnificent
structure was constructed by the Imperial War Graves Commission aka IWCG. The
monument was designed by a renowned English architect named Sir Edwin Lutyens
and its foundation was laid on 10 February 1921 by the Duke of Connaught, the
third son of Victoria. At the centre of New Delhi stands the 42 m
high India Gate, an “Arc-de-Triomphe” like archway in the middle of a
crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart, it commemorates the 70,000
Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the
World War.
The memorial
bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the
Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919.
The names of over 13,000 soldiers who lost
their lives during the war are also inscribed on the memorial. In honor of the
soldiers who laid down their lives in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, a
replacement structure was added to the India Gate in 1972. Known as Amar Jawan
Jyoti (meaning Flame of the Immortal Soldier), it was inaugurated by Gandhi,
the then Prime Minister of India.
Architecture
of India Gate
Sir Edwin Lutyens, who designed the India Gate, was the
number one war memorial architect and also a member of the IWGC. He built it as
a secular monument free from any religious association or cultural
ornamentation.
The entire structure is built using yellow and red
sandstone which was brought directly from Bharatpur. Situated in the middle of
a hexagonal complex, the structure is 42 meters long and 9.1 meters wide.
Interesting
facts about India Gate
- Every
evening, this imposing structure is lit up with spotlights, making it one
of the top tourist attractions to visit in Delhi during nights.
- The huge
lawns surrounding the gate are a favorite spot for people to enjoy basket
picnics, play cricket or indulge in kite flying.
- The
Children’s Park located near the gate is a great place to spend some
time with your kids.
- Rajpath,
the boulevard on which the monument is located, is where many people, both
young and old, come for early morning walks.
- Within a
kilometer of India Gate, you will find Andhra Bhavan, one of the iconic
restaurants in Delhi known for its lip-smacking traditional food.
- The Pandara
Road Market, which is also located within walking distance of India Gate,
is an amazing food market to experience Delhi’s street food flavors.
Full
Details
At the centre of New
Delhi stands the 42 m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triomphe" like archway in the middle of a crossroad. Almost
similar to its French counterpart, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers
who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The
memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed
in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919.
The foundation stone of India Gate was laid by His Royal Highness,
the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and it was designed by Edwin Lutyens. The
monument was dedicated to the nation 10 years later by the then Viceroy, Lord
Irwin. Another memorial, Amar Jawan Jyoti was
added much later, after India got its independence. The eternal flame burns day
and night under the arch to remind the nation of soldiers who laid down their
lives in the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971.
The entire arch stands on a low base of red Bharatpur stone
and rises in stages to a huge moulding. The cornice is inscribed with the
Imperial suns while both sides of the arch have INDIA, flanked by the dates
MCMXIV (1914 left) and MCMXIX (1919 right). The shallow domed bowl at the top
was intended to be filled with burning oil on anniversaries but this is rarely
done.
During nightfall, India Gate is dramatically floodlit while
the fountains nearby make a lovely display with coloured lights. India Gate
stands at one end of Rajpath, and the area surrounding it is generally referred
to as 'India Gate'.
Surrounding the imposing structure is a large expanse of lush
green lawns, which is a popular picnic spot. One can see hoards of people
moving about the brightly lit area and on the lawns on summer evenings.
By Bus:- Nearest Bus Stand to India Gate is Art
Gallery which is at a walking distance of 2 minutes, you can take bus from here
comfortably.
By Metro:- The nearest metro station to India Gate
is Khan Market which is 17 minutes walking distance.
By Train:- Pragati Maidan nearest railway station to
India Gate is 26 minutes walk away. You can also take rickshaw from here.
Location: Near
Rajpath
Metro Station: Pragati Maidan
Timings: Morning to Night
Entry: Free
Days Closed: None
Photography Charges: Nil
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