The memorial walls of this monument bear the names of the armed forces personnel who lost their lives during conflicts with Pakistan, China, and the 1961 War in Goa. Additionally, the names of those who sacrificed their lives in Operation Pawan, Operation Rakshak, and other operations are inscribed on the walls in golden letters.
Completed in January 2019, the National War Memorial was unveiled on 25th February 2019 in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India, and the three Chiefs of Staffs of the Indian Armed Forces. During the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi ignited the eternal flame of the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the Amar Chakra, located under the main obelisk of the monument.
It is important to note that the old Amar Jawan Jyoti, previously located at India Gate, used to serve as the national war memorial. However, a new memorial was constructed to honor the martyrs, and the flame from the old Amar Jawan Jyoti was merged with the flame at the new National War Memorial on 21st January 2022.
The architectural design and construction coordination for the National War Memorial were carried out by WeBe Design Lab, a Chennai-based architectural firm. The chief architect, Yogesh Chandrahasan, aimed to create a memorial that celebrated and honored the sacrifices rather than solely mourning them.
The National War Memorial is designed with four concentric circles and a central obelisk, beneath which burns the eternal flame symbolizing the immortal soldiers. The first circle, known as the Amar Chakra or the Circle of Immortality, houses the eternal flame at its center. This flame represents the immortality of the spirit of fallen soldiers and the Nation's promise to never forget their sacrifices.
The second circle, called the Veerta Chakra or the Circle of Bravery, features a covered gallery showcasing six bronze murals depicting valiant battle actions of the Indian Armed Forces. These murals depict the battles of Gangasagar, Longewala, Tithwal, Rizangla, Operation Meghdoot, and Operation Trident.
The third circle, known as the Tyag Chakra or the Circle of Sacrifice, features circular concentric walls that symbolize the ancient war formation known as 'Chakravyuh.' These walls are adorned with granite tablets, with each soldier who made the supreme sacrifice having an individual granite tablet dedicated to them. The name of the soldier, along with their rank, is etched in golden letters on each tablet.
The National War Memorial stands as a solemn reminder of the valor and sacrifice of our armed forces, and it serves as a place for reflection and remembrance.
