The national capital of India boasts of several
historical monuments. Delhi is a beautiful city with a rich history of thousand
years. One of the most renowned landmarks of the city is India Gate. One must
have seen it during a travel visit to Delhi or in several movies. Situated in
the heart of the city, it is located on Rajpath. The history of India Gate goes
back to 20thcentury. There is a story behind establishment of this
important landmark. It was made to commemorate the soldiers of the erstwhile
British Indian Army, who had lost their lives while fighting in World War I and
the Afghan Wars. The original name of the landmark was the All India War Memorial.
The monument has Amar Jawan Jyoti that is always in flame.
India Gate was designed by Edwin Lutyens who
was also the chief architect of New Delhi. On 10th February 1921, the Duke of Connaught laid the
foundation of the monument. The construction work came to an end in 1931 after
10 years of work. If you see properly, you will find names of Indian soldiers
inscribed on the walls of India Gate. These soldiers had sacrificed their lives
in World War I and the Afghan Wars.
India Gate has a total height of 42 meters. It
houses Amar Jawan Jyoti that was unveiled on January 26, 1972. The flame of
jyoti burns all the time in respect of soldiers who sacrficied their lives
during Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971. The Gate also serves as venue of
Republic Parade every year.
