12 facts about India Gate: whom it remembers and when it was built

Standing in the heart of New Delhi, India Gate is one of the country's most recognised monuments. Bathed in light in the evening, it is a place to visit and also a place to pay tribute to the country's brave soldiers. Here are 12 interesting facts about it.

History

1. A war memorial: India Gate's original name was the "All India War Memorial". It was built in memory of the soldiers of the British Indian Army who died in the First World War (1914–1918) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919).
2. Foundation: its foundation stone was laid by the Duke of Connaught on 10 February 1921.
3. Inauguration: after about ten years of building, it was inaugurated by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin, on 12 February 1931 — in the same days that New Delhi was formally opened as the capital.
4. Architect: it was designed by the British architect Edwin Lutyens, who also planned a large part of New Delhi, including Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Structure

1. Height: India Gate is about 42 metres tall.
2. Stone: it is built of red and pale yellow sandstone and granite.
3. Names of the fallen: the names of more than 13,000 soldiers are carved on the walls of the memorial.
4. Compared with Paris: its design is in the triumphal arch style, so it is often compared with the "Arc de Triomphe" in Paris.

Did you know? After the India–Pakistan war of 1971, the "Amar Jawan Jyoti" (flame of the immortal soldier) was lit beneath India Gate. In January 2022 its flame was merged with the flame of the National War Memorial nearby.

India Gate today

1. The National War Memorial: the National War Memorial near India Gate was inaugurated on 25 February 2019. It records the names of the soldiers who have died defending the country since independence.
2. Netaji's statue: in September 2022 a huge granite statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was installed under the canopy near India Gate.
3. Kartavya Path: in 2022 Rajpath, the road from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, was renamed Kartavya Path.
4. The Republic Day parade: every year the 26 January parade moves along Kartavya Path and passes India Gate.

Why are war memorials built?

War memorials remind us that soldiers have paid for the country's safety and peace with their lives. They tell the coming generations the story of their courage and sacrifice. Around the world, tributes are paid at such memorials on special days. In India the fallen are especially remembered on Army Day, 15 January, and on Kargil Vijay Diwas, 26 July.

If you visit

The green lawns around India Gate are full of families in the evening. The evening ceremony at the National War Memorial and the stories of the soldiers' bravery are an inspiring experience for children. The National Museum and the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya (Prime Ministers' Museum) are close by too.

At a glance for the exam

• Architect: Edwin Lutyens · Foundation: 1921 · Inauguration: 1931 · Height: about 42 metres
• Amar Jawan Jyoti: from 1972 · National War Memorial: 2019

Read more: 10 interesting facts about Delhi · On this day in history.