38 Breathtaking India Gate Facts That Will Leave You Stunned
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The India Gate is a national monument of India located in New Delhi.
It was built as a memorial to Indian armed forces who died during the First World War and has become one of the most iconic monuments in India.
The Imperial War Graves Commission commissioned the construction of India Gate, one of several memorials. India Gate's immense structure is awe-inspiring, and it has been compared to the Arc de Triomphe in France, the Gateway of India in Mumbai, and the Arch of Constantine in Rome.
Temperatures in Delhi are really high. While the summers and winters are unbearably hot, the monsoon season severely limits outdoor activity. However, the best months to visit Delhi are from February to April and August to November. You can visit India Gate at any time of day. The night view is stunning, and the lighting is flawless.
Today, the India Gate is important as a tourist attraction and as a symbol of nationalism. This article takes you through some of the most interesting facts about India Gate, Delhi!
Construction Of India Gate
India Gate is significant not only as a war memorial but also for other reasons. It is still very important. Take a look at facts about the Indian Army war memorial and its construction.
The construction work of the All India War Memorial started in 1921 and continued until 1931.
The duke of Connaught, Queen Victoria's third son, laid the cornerstone in 1921. The ceremony was also attended by officers and soldiers from the British Indian Army.
At the eastern end of the Rajpath, India Gate stands approximately 138 ft (42 m) tall.
Sir Edwin Lutyens, an Englishman who constructed numerous other war memorials and was also the chief planner of New Delhi, was the architect.
India Gate is perched in the center of a hexagonal compound with a diameter of 2050.5 ft (625 m) and a total area of 3875007.7 sq ft (3,60,000 sq m)
It rises in phases from a low base of red Bharatpur stone and ascends in levels into a huge moulding.
Lutyens employed a universal architectural style devoid of religious decoration. The architectural style of India Gate is similar to that of the Cenotaph in London, which is free of religious associations; thus, no religious or cultural adornment can be seen on its construction. It is a non-religious war memorial.
The cornices of India Gate are ornamented with a solar inscription that represents the British Imperial Colony.
On both sides, the word INDIA is inscribed at the top of the arches, flanked by the dates MCMXIV (1914) on the left and MCMXIX (1919) on the right.
Other surfaces bear the names of 13,218 dead Indian soldiers and others who sacrificed their lives during the First World War and Afghan Wars, including a female Territorial Force staff nurse killed in action in 1917.
History Of India Gate
This Indian monument holds huge historical significance. Explore fun facts and Interesting facts about India gate history!
The construction of the Delhi India Gate took almost 10 years, and Viceroy Lord Irwin inaugurated it in February 1931.
The India Gate was constructed as part of the Imperial War Graves Commission (IWGC), established by the British Imperial Mandate in 1917.
Amar Jawan Jyoti, a major feature of India Gate, was later created as a homage to Indian soldiers who died in the December 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. It was built under the India Gate arch.
You can also find a canopy-like structure designed by Edwin Lutyens roughly 492.1 ft (150 m) behind the stunning India Gate. It once housed a statue of Lord George V, but it was later removed.
It was part of the British initiative to construct cemeteries and memorials for all Indian and British soldiers who served in the British Empire during the First World War.
When India Gate was completed, a statue of George Pancham was erected in front of it, which was eventually erected at Coronation Park alongside other British Raj-era landmarks.
For the Indian Forces victims who died in France and Flanders, Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli, and other Near and Far East locations, their names are likewise preserved in their holy remembrance.
India Gate has undergone a few changes since its inception. Before independence, there was a statue of King George V in front of India Gate, but the people removed it once the country gained independence. The statue was safely shifted to coronation park.
Special Features Of India Gate
There are many intriguing special features associated with one of the largest war memorials in India, some of which are mentioned below.
A broad, shallow domed basin on the roof above the archway was supposed to be filled with blazing oil on ceremonial occasions.
In recent years, there have been no fires on the rooftop, but four eternal flames are now housed at the structure's base. The flames mark the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
The Amar Jawan Jyoti has a very interesting look! It is topped with a rifle and a soldier's helmet that represents the sacrifice of the Indian soldiers.
On occasions of state ceremonies, the president, prime minister, and visiting guests of the state are expected to visit India Gate and pay respect to the shrine of Indian soldiers.
India Gate is regarded as the world's most important worldwide war heritage monument, with millions of Indians visiting it every day.
India Gate, Delhi, is a symbol of India's heart, devoted to the country's martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country.
This monument is part of India's heritage and is located on the Rajpath in New Delhi.
At night, the black sky behind this monument, which is loaded with magnificent lights, serves as an excellent backdrop.
Sir Edwin Lutyens also created other significant landmarks in India, such as Viceroy House, now known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan. There is also a mesmerizing view between India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan in the daylight.
Fun Facts About India Gate
India Gate is one of the country's largest war memorials. Surrounded by lush green and well-kept gardens, it is a popular hangout for Delhi residents. Here are some fun and interesting facts about India Gate, Delhi.
The structure is sometimes referred to as the All India War Memorial, although it is popularly known as the India Gate.
India Gate is flanked by magnificent green gardens and a lake with clear waters.
India Gate is the site of the annual Republic Day parade, which takes place on January 26.
The Republic Day parade starts from Rajpath and then passes around this war memorial.
This magnificent India Gate procession is performed by contingents, school children, folk dances, army weaponry, and so on.
It is now a popular leisure area, with activities ranging from boating to sightseeing to relaxing.
India Gate has become one of the city's most popular picnic areas due to its rich historical past and stunning architecture.
The India Gate, Delhi, was twinned with another Lutyens war memorial, the Arch of Remembrance in Leicester, England.
The government announced plans in July 2014 to build a National War Memorial around the canopy and a National War Museum in neighboring Princess Park. In January 2019, the National War Memorial was finished.
The unveiling of Amar Jawan Jyoti was done by Indira Gandhi, the then Indian Prime Minister, on Republic Day in 1972.
When the monument was unveiled in the evening, a massive crowd had gathered around India Gate and the grasslands on each side of Rajpath.
Rajpath, the promenade where the monument is located, attracts a large number of people, both young and old, for early morning walks.
This majestic structure is illuminated with spotlights every evening, making it one of the top tourist sites to visit in Delhi at night.
Views of the Rashtrapati Bhavan can be obtained by walking near the structure.
Whether you're visiting with friends, family, or on your own, a visit to this arch gate on Rajpath should be on your list of things to do in Delhi. And don't forget to take some beautiful photos with this iconic monument in the background.
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Christian Mba is an experienced blogger and content writer with over a decade of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Nigeria and has a keen interest in Python programming. Along with his writing and blogging expertise, he is also an SEO specialist with more than six years of experience. Chris, as he is commonly known, has a passion for music and enjoys playing the piano.
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