India Gate

 Delhi Heritage Trail  : 36

         India Gate

     This iconic arch in the Rajpath formerly called Kingsway is a picnic spot for many of the Delhiites. It was a master piece structure designed by Edwin Lutyens the maker of modern Delhi and its iconic buildings in early 20th century. Construction of such arched gateways was the trend in many European cities during that period of time.  

        The foundation for the gate was made by Duke of Connaught on 10th Feb 1921. It was constructed as a memorial to the soldiers of British  Indian Army who lost their life in first world war (1914-1919). It was part of the project of Imperial War Graves Commission. Remembering the dead soldiers by building grand structure was the order of that period.  After 10 years construction it was declared open by Lord Irwin  on 12th Feb 1931. Around 13218 soldiers  names who lost their life in the war are inscribed on its walls. The gate is 42metre(138 feet) in height and is at the eastern end of Rajpath. 

        Around 150 metre east of the gateway is a 73 feet high Cupola constructed in 1936 which housed a statue of King George V. The statue remained there even after independence inspite of opposition to it and demands for its removal. Ultimately it was removed in the year 1968 and placed in Delhi’s Coronation Park where many British Raj era statues are kept.