India Guide: Some interesting facts about India Gate you would love to know
Interesting facts about India Gate – Delhi, the capital of India, is known for its monuments, food, and popular marketplaces. Millions of tourists visit Delhi every year and the one place they definitely visit is the India Gate. India Gate, like most of us know, is the national monument of independent India but do you think you know all about India Gate? We are sharing with you some interesting facts about India Gate that you must know.
Interesting facts about India Gate
Did you know that the India Gate was originally recognized as the “All India War Memorial”?
Establishment of India Gate
- During the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War, nearly 90000 soldiers of the British Indian Army lost their lives to save the powerful British Empire. The India Gate was built in honor of these soldiers.
- The foundation stone of the India Gate was laid on 10 February 1921. It was inaugurated on 12 February 1931.
- Names of nearly 13300 servicemen, including some soldiers and officers of the UK, are engraved at this iconic gate.
- The India Gate was originally known as the All India War Memorial.
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More interesting facts about India Gate
Monument architecture
- The design of India Gate was inspired by the ‘Arc de Triomphe’ in Paris. Its foundation was laid by Edwin Landseer Lutyens, who was then the chief architect of Delhi.
- The height of the India Gate is about 42 meters. The entire composition is made of marble stone and the words inscribed are written in yellow sandstone.
- India Gate stands on a low base of red Bharatpur stone and rises in stages to a huge molding.
- The completion of the India Gate took 10 years.
- INDIA is engraved on both sides of the India Gate. The dates are inscribed on the left and right of the India gate; MCMXIV (1914) and MCMXIX (1919). Just below ‘INDIA’, the following is inscribed in capital letters:
“TO THE DEAD OF THE INDIAN ARMIES WHO FELL AND ARE HONOURED IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS MESOPOTAMIA AND PERSIA EAST AFRICA GALLIPOLI AND ELSEWHERE IN THE NEAR AND THE FAR-EAST AND IN SACRED MEMORY ALSO OF THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE HERE RECORDED AND WHO FELL IN INDIA OR THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER AND DURING THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR.”
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Interesting facts about Amar Jawan Jyoti
The Amar Jawan Jyoti means the eternal flame paying homage to the thousands of Indian soldiers who fought for their country and lost their lives. This unveiling ceremony was done in 1972 by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Indian Prime Minister, on Republic Day. Placed in a shrine, the structure is on a cenotaph which is made of black marble. A rifle is placed on it, along with a soldier’s helmet.
- The Amar Jawan Jyoti, which was built at India Gate in 1971, is constantly burning (eternal). It was created after the independence of India.
- The Indian Army played an important role in the creation of independent Bangladesh, in which many Indian soldiers lost their lives. The Amar Jawan Jyoti was erected under the India gate to commemorate Indian soldiers that were martyred in that war.
- After the Indo-Pak war in December 1971, it was Indira Gandhi who provided financial assistance to build the Amar Jawan Jyoti under India Gate.
- The memorial of the martyred soldier is made of black marble. A rifle stands on top of which the helmet of a soldier is placed.
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Republic day parade
- The Republic Day Parade is held here on 26 January every year.
- Starting from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the parade passes through the premises of the India Gate.
- Every year on Republic Day, the President, the Prime Minister, and the three Chiefs pay floral chakras and their respects at the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
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A special place to hang out
- If you want to go on a picnic with your friends, then the gardens around the India Gate make a beautiful picnic spot.
- India Gate is also very crowded during evenings and holidays.
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