India Gate, a national war memorial, is located on the Rajpath in New Delhi. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens to commemorate soldiers who died in the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. It is estimated that 82000 soldiers’ names are inscribed on the surface.
History
The construction was started by the Britishers in the year 1921. The Duke of Connaught laid the foundation stone on February 10, 1921. In 1931, Indian Viceroy Lord Erwin inaugurated the memorial to remember Indian and British soldiers who died for the British Empire in the First World War.
The structure is compared to the Arc de Triomphe in France, the Constantine in Rome, and the Gateway of India in Mumbai. The structure also houses Amar Jawan Jyoti, who was ignited by Indira Gandhi in 1972 to commemorate soldiers who died in the 1971 Pakistan War. A separate structure made up of black marble beneath the India Gate has an Amar Jawan Jyoti.
On Republic Day, all three commanders pay homage to the sacrifices of soldiers. You can watch a canopy-like structure that once had a statue of Lord George V that was later replaced by Subash Chandra Bose.
The national war memorial is continuously guarded by soldiers of the air force, navy, and army.
If we talk about the exact specifications of the structure, then India Gate is 42 meters tall, 9.1 meters wide, and covers an area of 3,60,000 meters. The base of India Gate is made up of red sandstone that was brought up from there. Bharatpur, Rajasthan.
Things to do at India gate
Morning walk: Many people come to India Gate for an early morning walk, especially along the Rajpath road.
Picnic: A new renovation under the Central Vista project has made the area a great spot for family picnics.
Children’s park: A nearby children’s park can be a good option for parents to bring their children.
How to reach India gate
India Gate is located in the heart of New Delhi, the capital city of India. You can reach India Gate by road, metro, train, and air.
By Road: India Gate is well connected by road. You can take a taxi, bus, or drive your own vehicle to reach India Gate. The closest bus stop to India Gate is the India Gate bus stop.
By Metro: The nearest metro station to India Gate is the Central Secretariat metro station. It is on the yellow and violet lines of the Delhi Metro. From there, you can take an autorickshaw or walk to India Gate.
By Train: The nearest railway station to India Gate is the New Delhi Railway Station. It is about 6 kilometers away from India Gate. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach India Gate.
By air: The nearest airport to India Gate is Indira Gandhi International Airport. It is about 20 kilometers away from India Gate. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach India Gate.
Note: India Gate is a popular tourist spot, and there is limited parking available. It is recommended to use public transportation to reach India Gate.