India Gate-The last building of British Raj in Delhi
Spread the love
Facts about India Gate, the last building of British Raj in Delhi, a tourist site.
India Gate (also called National War Memorial) is one of the well known happening places of the city today. This is one of the most visited monuments by tourists, located in New Delhi, the capital city of India.
The India Gate is also a center of National importance. The Republic Day, the most important celebration of India takes place here, every year. The Gate was built in 20th century during British Rule in India, and it was dedicated to the memory of the soldiers who had died in the First World War and so.
History of India Gate/when was India Gate built?
The history of building projects like India Gate can be traced back to 1917 AD, in England. A special Commission called Imperial War Grave Commission (IWGC) was established on 21 May, 1917. Commission was set up during the First World War in England
The purpose of this commission was to erect Great Memorials (in different commonwealth countries) to ensure the commemoration of died and the missing soldiers in war. This Commission, presently known as Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC) is based in England.
The India Gate was the product of same IWGC. The construction of India Gate was started in the year 1921 and was completed in 1931.
Who was the architect of India Gate?
India Gate, a Memorial Structure was designed by a famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. He was from England.
He designed and built this Gate as a secular architectural memorial.
Lutyens was a member of IWGC too and he had a long stay in Delhi.
India Gate, Delhi, India! Image Courtesy: Shalender Kumar from Pixabay
Who laid the foundation stone of India Gate?
The foundation stone of India Gate (then called the All India War Memorial) was laid by Prince Arthur William Patrick Albert also known as Duke of Connaught. He was the third son of famous Queen Victoria of England.
During the viceroy-ship of Chelmsford of British Raj in India, Duke of Connaught visited Delhi, and laid the foundation stone of the India Gate on 10 February, 1921.
How many years it took to build India Gate?
India Gate took 11 years to complete the construction.
Construction of India Gate was started in February 1921 and it was completed in February 1931.
Who inaugurated India Gate?
India Gate of Delhi was inaugurated by Viceroy Lord Irwin on 12 February 1931.
Through his speech on inaugural day, he dedicated India Gate to nation and the brave soldiers.
Why was India Gate built?
The India Gate was built by British Raj in India to commemorate soldiers who died during First World War and in the Anglo-Afghan War.
Around 90,000 soldiers and war service men (mostly Indians) of British India Army had died between 1914 and 1921 AD in the First World War. The different places where soldiers died were the places like France, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Persia (Iran), Far East and in the Third Anglo-Afghan War and so on.
The following text has been inscribed (written) on the top of India Gate in English language.
“To the dead of the Indian armies who fell and are honored 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 on the north west frontier and during the Third Afghan War”.
How many names are written on India Gate?
There are 13,220 names of soldiers and servicemen, including some soldiers and officers from England are inscribed on the stone wall of India Gate.
Who built India Gate?
The Gate was built by British Raj at New Delhi in India. British Raj including present India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other regions was ruled by British Colonial Power before Independence and partition of India in 1947.
What does India Gate Symbolize?
India Gate is generally believed to be the symbol of soldiers’ bravery and sacrifice, built in the memory of soldiers died and missing during war.
The Anglo-Afghan War and the treaty of Rawalpindi with its consequent events indicate that India Gate can be called “A victory Tower” for British India.
At present India Gate is the symbol of soldier’s bravery, high esteem and a symbol of inspiration and national unity.
What is the Height of India Gate?
This is a huge and beautiful arch gate structure. The height of India Gate is 42 meters and it is 9.1 meters wide.
Taking a tour to India Gate of Delhi with its bold grand size and beautiful natural color of sandstone will remain in your memory for longer time.
This gate has never been painted with color. The color is the natural one of light red sandstones.
Architecture of India Gate:
The Architectural style of India Gate is neoclassical, an arch free from any religious or cultural designs, carvings, symbols or decorates. It was meant to pay homage to all soldiers died in war from various religious and cultural backgrounds.
This Gate has been built using red sandstone (brought from Bharatpur) and granite. It is unique. However, India Gate has some architectural similarity to the monuments like Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Arch of Constantine of Rome, Buland Darwaza (Fatehpur Sikri as its theme) and the Gateway of India (Mumbai).
In fact the architecture and design of India Gate is very close to that of triumphal arch of “Arc de Triomphe” in Paris.
India Gate, the last building of British Raj in Delhi, is centered in an open large field encircled by a roundabout busy road.
What is a Canopy near India Gate? /What is a small structure near India Gate?
There is a canopy (chattri) at a distance of 150 meters toward the east of India Gate.
This canopy was built in 1936 as a tribute to former British Emperor, King George V. This canopy housed a marble statue of George V. But the statue was removed after India’s independence.
India Gate-Canopy! Image Courtesy: Shalender Kumar from Pixabay.
Relevance of India Gate Today:
Today, the India Gate is famous for its tourist attraction and known all over the world.
It is lit up every evening with lovely lights providing an amazing view. It is one of the top tourist attractions to visit even at night in Delhi.
Today this place is also marked by the place of warrior ship.
This Gate holds a high significance as symbol of national unity for India.
Every year, on 26th January, the Republic Day parade commences from India Gate to the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President’s House) and progresses past the India Gate.
Wreaths are placed at the Amar Jawan Jyoti by the Prime Minister of India on that day.
India Gate is also a popular spot of peaceful protests by civil society to raise their voices.
Also read about the facts and history of “Qutub Minaret“, a 13the century beautiful heritage monument.
When was National War Memorial inaugurated?
There is a new extension of built up area to the ground of India Gate called National War Memorial.
National War Memorial is inaugurated on 12 February, 2019. This particular part opens from 09:00 AM to 06:30 PM.
There is no entry fee for India Gate and National War Memorial.
When is India Gate closed for visitors and Tourists?
You are not allowed to visit India Gate from 22 to 26 January each year.
It is closed during this date for general tourist to visit, due to preparation and celebration of Indian Republic Day on 26 of January, each year.
Things to do at India Gate:
You can visit and see India Gate, and take pictures and enjoy the open space view under sky.
There are three hoisting flags of armed forces of India e.g. Air Force, Army and Navy, near the arch of India Gate.
There are rectangular pools of water with big spectacular fountains in red sandstone.
There are manually propelled boats, which you can ride and enjoy with your friends and family.
There is a Children Park nearby, where you can have fun with your kids.
You can taste some local snacks like bhel puri, sweet corn, gol gappe, hot and spicy roasted sweet potatoes, ice cream and much more, sold by roaming hawkers.
There are huge lawns surrounding India Gate, where you can enjoy your basket picnic.
Where is India Gate? Address of India Gate:
India Gate, Rajpath Road, New Delhi, Delhi-110001, India.
Visiting Timing India Gate:
India Gate Opens for visitors and tourists from 06:00 AM to 10:00 PM all days of the year (except between 22-26 of January).
How to reach India Gate?
This place is very famous and well connected via road transport. You can reach by hiring a taxi, cab or an auto-rickshaw. Metro rail can be a better option to reach for a tour to India Gate, Delhi.
The nearest metro rail station to India Gate is (Kendriya Sachiwalay) or Central Secretariat Metro Station. (1.5 KM).
Whether you are on tour to Delhi with your family, friends or alone, a visit to India Gate is worth visiting. You can also visit some more amazing places like “Jama Masjid” of 17th Century AD, “Qutub Minar” of 13th Century AD and “The Garden of Five Senses” located in Delhi, India.
Map Location of India Gate:
You can easily reach to India Gate, Delhi, for your tour following the google map given below with the help of your device.