The India Gate, formerly known as All India War Memorial, is a significant war memorial located near the eastern edge of New Delhi's ceremonial axis, previously known as Rajpath. It stands as a tribute to the 84,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who lost their lives between 1914 and 1921 during the First World War.
Designed by the renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, the India Gate embodies the architectural style of ancient Roman triumphal arches, reminiscent of landmarks such as the Arch of Constantine in Rome and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This grand structure, often likened to the Gateway of India in Mumbai, bears the names of 13,300 servicemen, including soldiers and officers from the United Kingdom.
Beneath the archway, a significant structure called Amar Jawan Jyoti, meaning Flame of the Immortal Soldier, has been erected. It consists of a black marble plinth adorned with a reversed rifle, crowned by a war helmet and encircled by four eternal flames. Since its completion in 1972, Amar Jawan Jyoti has served as India's tomb of the unknown soldier, commemorating those who lost their lives during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
As one of the largest war memorials in India, the India Gate holds great significance. Every year on Republic Day, the Prime Minister visits the gate to pay homage to the Amar Jawan Jyoti before the commencement of the Republic Day parade.
Apart from its solemn purpose, the India Gate also serves as a gathering place for civil society protests. It has witnessed numerous demonstrations, including those in response to the Nirbhaya rape case in 2012, the Unnao rape case in 2017, and the 2011 anti-corruption movement.
The foundation stone for the gate, then known as the All India War Memorial, was laid on February 10, 1921, by the Duke of Connaught in the presence of officers and men of the Imperial Indian Army, the Imperial Service Troops, the commander in chief, and the viceroy. At the inauguration ceremony a decade later, Lord Irwin stated that the memorial would serve to remind future generations of the sacrifice and service of the brave soldiers whose names adorn its walls.
Although the gate was previously open to traffic, it is now closed to cars. Illuminated every evening from 19:00 to 21:30, it has become one of Delhi's most iconic tourist attractions. The Republic Day Parade, starting from Rashtrapati Bhavan, passes by the India Gate, enhancing its significance in the country's ceremonial events.
In recognition of its architectural resemblance to the Arch of Remembrance in Leicester, England, another war memorial designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the India Gate was officially twinned with the English monument in 2017.
