India Gate, Delhi

Since the construction of Lal Kot, the Rajput citadel in 1060, which later became the Moslem capital of Qutb al-Din Aibak, Delhi has been built and rebuilt eight times, each at a different location within the vast modern city that it is today. Many of these former iterations have perished, but have survived only in the form of a ruined fortress or a religious complex, such as Tughlaqabad Fort or Qutb Minar, respectively. Others, however, are now thriving neighbourhoods of the city, such as Shahjahanabad, which is nowadays referred to as Old Delhi, the area around the Red Fort. The final iteration of the city was built in the early 20th century under British Rule as the capital of the Raj, named New Delhi. This new city, with spacious streets and British-influenced architecture, was drawn out over the hills and fields between the seven older versions of the city, thus connecting all of them into one large metropolis, and was later made the capital of independent India. Crossing from orderly New Delhi into messy Old Delhi is similar to walking through the looking glass, worlds apart. With a clear delineation between the two, this Delhi page focuses on all of the historic monuments that are located outside New Delhi. For the rest, such as the Tomb of Safdarjung or Lodi Gardens, please refer to my New Delhi page.

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India Gate is a war memorial , it is a majestic high arch 42 meters high, was built in honour of 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War First.Below it burns the Amar Jawan Jyoti, the eternal flame in tribute to all martyred soldiers of India. From the base of the arch one can get a good view of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

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There is a shrine burning under the arch of India Gate since 1971. It is the Amar Jawan Jyoti (the flame of the immortal warrior), signifying the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is a black marble cenotaph placed on an edifice with a rifle placed on its barrel, crested by a soldier's helmet. At four corners of the edifice, there are four torches that are perpetually kept burning. It was unveiled on Republic day of India, January 26, 1972 by the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi, closely after the 1971 India Pakistan War. Even today, during national ceremonies, homage is paid at this site by the President, Prime Minister or high officials.

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The India Gate is situated at one end of the Rajpath avenue that leads straight to the Presidential palace. It is a Gate in honour of all Indian soldiers of the British Indian army who died during the Afghan wars and World War I. The pathway through it has a rifle placed on its barrel, crested by a soldier's helmet, depicting the tribute to a dead soldier. The area is very touristy with loads of tourists visiting it every day. There is a beautiful grassy lawn on both sides of the little road approaching the India gate, a nice place to relax.

Sometimes the hustle and grime of the city gets too much. A nice, relaxing walk around New Delhi can be just the thing. Get a tuc-tuc to India Gate and join the local and foreign tourists enjoying the sun in one of the green places in Delhi.

As soon as we got out of the vehicle, we fell in step with three local school boys, out on a field-trip. Out of the blue, one asked me to take a picture of him. By the time I'd raised the camera to my eye, he was joined by what seemed like the whole of his school, waving and cheering - a group of 30 lads beaming smiles into the lens of this big, bald, white foreigner - one of the most memorable parts of my holiday.

As we walked around the monument, we were approached by a number of Indians holding their cameras - not for us to take a picture of their group for them but so they could have their picture taken with us! I don't think they were confusing us with anyone famous - I mean we don't look (much) like Brad and Angelina - it was just an expression of the friendliness and lack of inhibitions Indian people have.

Anyway, from the Gate, walk along the road-side park south to the Secretariat taking care not to step on the picnickers and get hit by a ball from the inpromptu games of cricket. On your left is the National Museum. At the end of the road are the Secretariats of, I think, the Defence Ministry and Home Affairs and the Presidential residence. A very grand mixture of european and indian arctitecture, once symbolising the rule of the Raj but now the greatness of India. Four columns topped by sailing boats represent the British dominions of South Africa, Australia etc. and look down upon the sentry guards drawn from the police and army, smartly attired in white putties and, in the case of the Sikh soldiers, splendid purple turbans.

Lie in the small but perfectly manicured garden at the foot of the Secretariat building and doze-off sleepily in the shade of the tree for you are soon going to have to brave the Delhi traffic again.....

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India Gate was built in 1931 in memory of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I, whose names are inscribed in the gate. In 1971, a flame was lit in memory of the unknown soldiers who died in the 1970 Indo Pak War. It is lit up at night. During the day, especially on weekends you will find many families in the area playing cricket, having a picnic or hiring a rowing boat on the lake.
There are many ice cream, food and drink sellers in the area. No charge to see the gate.

Go to India Gate just as the sun starts to set. The arch is illuminated and it looks spectacular.

The gate is engraved with the names of the soldiers from the Indian and British army who died in the Afghan Wars and 1st World War.

A recent addition to it is the flames that are alight at the base which mark the end of the Indian and Pakistan war.

When you visit India Gate, try to do it at sunset. It is very lively, with many families enjoying a almost festive atmosphere. Close by is a Park, mostly for families, which seems very popular. You can buy a variety of foods etc.
This monument stands at the eastern end of the Rajpath. It is a war memorial with many thousands names of Indian Army soldiers (WWI).
India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931.