India Gate
| India Gate | |
|---|---|
 India | |
 India Gate | |
| For Indian soldiers who died in World War I and the Afghan Wars | |
| Established | 1921 |
| Unveiled | 1931 |
| Location | 28°36′46.31″N 77°13′45.5″E / 28.6128639°N 77.229306°E near Delhi, India |
| Designed by | Edwin Lutyens |
The India Gate (Hindi: इंडिया गेट) is one of the largest war memorials in India. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Originally known as All India War Memorial, it is a prominent landmark in Delhi and commemorates the 90,000 soldiers of the erstwhile British Indian Army who lost their lives fighting for the Indian Empire in World War I and the Afghan Wars.
Originally, a Statue of King George V had stood under the now-vacant canopy in front of the India Gate, and was removed to Coronation Park with other statues. Following India's independence, India Gate became the site of the Indian Army's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, known as the Amar Jawan Jyoti (Immortal Soldier).
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[edit] Amar Jawan Jyoti
Burning in a shrine under the arch of India Gate since 1971 is the Amar Jawan Jyoti (the flame of the immortal warrior), which marks the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The shrine itself is a black marble cenotaph with a rifle placed on its barrel, crested by a soldier's helmet. Each face of the cenotaph has inscribed in gold the words "Amar Jawan" (Immortal Warrior).
This cenotaph is itself placed on an edifice which has on its four corners four torches that are perpetually kept alive. It was unveiled on January 26, 1972 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in the wake of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Today, it is customary for the President and the Prime Minister, as well as visiting Guests of State, to pay homage at the site on occasions of State ceremonies.
[edit] The canopy
Standing right behind the gate is an empty canopy, also designed by Lutyens, and inspired by a 18th century Mahabalipuram pavilion, that till Independence of India in 1947 had the statue of King George V, which now stands in the Coronation Park, Delhi.
[edit] Site
The 42-metre tall India Gate is situated such that many important roads spread out from it. Traffic passing around India Gate used to be continuous till the roads were closed to the public due to terrorist threats.
The lawns around Rajpath are thronged by people during the night, when the India Gate is lit up.
[edit] Gallery
Crowds enjoy a pleasant night on the grounds around India Gate, February 2006.
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