The Amar Jawan Jyoti, also known as the Immortal Soldier Flame, is an Indian memorial that was built following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. It was inaugurated on January 26, 1972, and served as the national war memorial until February 2019 when the new National War Memorial was inaugurated.
The Amar Jawan Jyoti, located at India Gate, consists of a base measuring 15 square feet with a height of 4 feet 3 inches. On top of the base, there is a black marble pedestal in the shape of a cenotaph, standing at a height of 3 feet 2 inches. The words "Amar Jawan" (meaning Immortal Soldier) are inscribed in gold on all four sides of the cenotaph. At the top, there is a reversed rifle, symbolizing a fallen soldier, and a war helmet.
The construction of the Amar Jawan Jyoti was completed hastily, as per the wishes of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It was her desire to have a memorial ready in time for Republic Day on January 26, 1972. The monument was constructed in a short timeframe to honor those who had fought in the war just the previous month.
In 2019, a new flame was installed at the National War Memorial to honor all known martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces. The flame at the Amar Jawan Jyoti was merged with the new one at the National War Memorial. This sparked a debate surrounding the old and new monuments, including their semantics, history, politicization, and symbolism.
India Gate, designed by Edwin Lutyens, was unveiled in 1931 and originally allowed traffic and parades to pass through it. However, vehicular movement under the arch was restricted in the 1950s. The Amar Jawan Jyoti was added under India Gate after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, which led to the liberation of East Pakistan.
It is worth noting that for many years after Independence, there was no clear-cut policy regarding war memorials in India. As a result, memorials were often constructed across the country without proper coordination or thoughtful architecture. Currently, there are at least 150 war memorials in India.
In 2017, the construction of the National War Memorial began, and it was finally inaugurated in 2019. Following the inauguration, the fate of the old Amar Jawan Jyoti became a topic of debate, raising questions about whether the flame was merged or extinguished, whether the old memorial was temporary, and the significance of its location under India Gate and its colonial history.
Overall, the Amar Jawan Jyoti stands as a testament to the sacrifice and bravery of the Indian Armed Forces. It serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers in defense of their country.
