Top 10 Amazing Facts about Delhi Gate

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Delhi Gate

The Delhi Gate, Picture courtesy of Dhamijalok – Wikimedia

Delhi Gate, also known as India Gate was established by emperor Shah Jahan in 1638 as part of rubble-built high fort walls that encircled Shahjahanabad, the 7th city of Delhi.

The emperor used this gate to go to the Jama Masjid for prayer. The foundation was built by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and it was designed by Edwin Lutyens.

The Delhi Gate originally called the All-India war memorial, monumental sandstone arch in New Delhi, dedicated to the troops of British India who died in wars fought between 1914 and 1919.

The following are some of the amazing facts about Delhi Gate:

1. Delhi Gate is one of the biggest war memorials in the world

The National War Memorial, is a monument constructed by the Government of India in the vicinity of the India Gate, New Delhi, to honor its Armed Forces. Pictured By Eatcha. WIKIMEDIA

Being the National Monument of India, the India Gate is also one of the biggest war memorials in the world.

The design of India Gate is similar to that of Arc De Triomphe in Paris. The structure was set up to commemorate the undivided British Army (also known as British Indian Army)soldiers who laid their lives during the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War of 1919.

This imposing structure is one of the largest war memorials in the country with the names of over 13000 soldiers written on it.

2. Delhi Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens

Sir Edwyn L. Lutyens. Pictured By Bain News Service, Publisher WIKIMEDIA

The structure of Delhi Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

He adopted the architectural style of the memorial arch such as the Arch of Constantine, in Rome, and is often compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and the gateway of India in Mumbai.

It was established on 10th February 1921 and was unveiled on 12th February 1931. India’s high commissioner laid a wreath at the arch in Leceister and the British High Commissioner to  India laid one at the India Gate.

3. The Delhi Gate has a span of 138 feet

India Gate in New Delhi, India. Picture By A.Savin (WikiCommons) Wikimedia

The Gate, which has been called a creative reworking of the Arc de Triomphe, has a span of 138 feet and lies on the eastern axial end of Kingsway, present-day Rajpath, the central vista, and main ceremonial procession route in New Delhi.

The tall India Gate stands on a low base of red Bharatpur stone and rises in stages to a huge molding.

The shallow domed bowl at the top was intended to be filled with burning oil on anniversaries though it is rarely done.

The memorial gate hexagon complex, with a diameter of about 625 meters covers approximately 306 meters squared in area.

4. Beneath the gate there is Amar Jawan Jyoti

Amar Jawan Jyoti (English: Flame of the immortal soldier) at India Gate. Picture By KCVelaga WIKIMEDIA

Amar Jawan Jyoti or the flame of the immortal soldier is a structure consisting of a black marble plinth, with a reversed rifle, capped by a war helmet, bound by four urns, each with permanent light.

(Jyoti) from compressed natural gas flames, erected under the India gate to commemorate Indian soldiers martyred in the war of the liberation of Bangladesh in December 1971.

It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi n 26 January 1972, the twenty-third Indian Republic Day. It has served as India’s tomb of unknown staff.

5. Delhi Gate was part of the work of the Imperial War Graves commission

It came to existence in December 1918 under British Rule for building war graves ad memorials to soldiers who were killed in the first world war.

The Foundation stone of the gate was laid by the visiting Duke of Connaught in a ceremony attended by officers and men of the British Indian Army, Imperial Service troops, the commander in chief, and Chelmsford, the Viceroy.

Ten years after the foundation stone laying ceremony, the memorial was inaugurated by Lord Irwin after which the rail line was shifted to run along the Yamuna River, and New Delhi Railway station was opened.

6. Delhi is now a popular Leisure area

Delhi is now a  popular 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 part and stunning architecture.

Te Delhi Gate was twinned with another Lutyens war memorial the Arch of Remembrance in Leceister, England.

The government announced plans in July 2014 to build a National Wars Memorial around the canopy and a National War Museum in neighboring Princess Park. In January 2019, the National War Memorial was finished.

7. The cornices of the Gate are ornamented

The Delhi Gate cornices are adorned 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.

8. The Delhi Gate has been the spot of Hanukkah celebrations

Being a prime Tourist attraction site, the gate is also a gathering spot for the locals, street vendors, and photographers soliciting services.

It holds significance for the local Jewish community as it has been the spot for Hanukkah celebrations with the lighting of the menorah, since  2003.

There are five jetties located at the Gateway, of which two are used for commercial ferry operations.

9. Delhi Gate is installed with another statue of the Subhas Chandra Bose 

On 21 January 2022, Prime minister Narendra Modi announced that a statue of Subhash Chandra Bose would be installed in the canopy at India Gate.

The announcement came two days before his 125th birth anniversary. A 28 feet high and 6 feet wide 3D holographic statue of Bose is inaugurated at the site on 23 January 2022, celebrated as Prakram Diwas (Courage Day). 

On this occasion, an award in the name of Bose has also been instituted for exemplary work in disaster management.

10. A Republic day is celebrated at the Indian gate

A spectacular view of Rajpath from the top of the India Gate, during the 60th Republic Day Parade-2009, in New Delhi on January 26, 2009.Picture By Ministry of Defence wikimedia

The nation celebrates Republic day on the 26th of January each year. On this day, the India Gate stands witness to a grand affair – the parade. School children, the National Cadet Corps, and members of the Army, the navy, and the Air Force participate in it.

The program begins with laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. On such a vital day in the history of Independent India, it is perhaps that they should begin all celebrations by remembering all those who gave up their lives for the country.

March Past and band is performed by the various regiments of the armed forces. But the most interesting part of the whole procession is definitely the tableaux.