India Gate in Delhi at the centre of
New Delhi stands the 42 m high, 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. 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.