The India Gate commemorates the dead Indian soldiers in the First World War and the Afghan wars.
It is a war memorial in New Delhi and also has the Indian Army’s “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.” This is called as the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
The India Gate is situated on the Rajpath.
Initially, this structure was called as “All India War Memorial.” This monument is built by Edwin Lutyens.
The names of the soldiers who lost their lives in the wars are inscribed on the walls.
The height of this monument is 42 meters and the structure has some similarity with the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
The Amar Jawan Jyoti is a black marble cenotaph. Here, there is a rifle placed on its barrel with a soldier’s helmet at the top.
On every side of this cenotaph, the words “Amar Jawan” are inscribed in gold.
On the four corners there are four torches that are continuously kept active.

A National Monument
The India Gate is the national monument of India. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Originally known as All India War Memorial, it is a prominent landmark in Delhi and commemorates the 90,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives while fighting for the British Indian Empire, or more correctly the British Raj in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. It is composed of red sand stone and granite.
Following India's independence, India Gate became the site of the Indian Army's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, known as the Amar Jawan Jyoti (The flame of the immortal soldier).

The Site
The 42-metre tall India Gate is situated such that many important roads spread out from it.
The lawns around Rajpath throng with people during the evening, when the India Gate is lit up. Ice cream and street food vendors come out during this time and it becomes a popular picnic venue for families.
The Republic Day Parade starts from Rashtrapati Bhavan and passes through India Gate to reach Red Fort.

History of India Gate

Situated at the eastern end of Rajpath in Central Delhi is the 42 m high stone arch of victory, renowned as the India Gate. Formally known as the All India War Memorial previously, the foundation stone of this magnanimous structure was laid by the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and dedicated to the nation in 1931 by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin.
Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the India Gate stands on a low base of red Bharatpur stone and rises in stages to a huge cornice.

Amar Jawan Jyoti
In order to honor the numerous unknown gallant soldiers who died fighting for the country, an eternal flame or Amar Jawan Jyoti was lit under the arch of India Gate in 1971. Uniformed soldiers stand guard over the flame. As a tribute to these dead soldiers, a shining rifle crowned by a soldier's helmet is placed on a high pedestal near the flame.
The Shrine of the Amar Jawan Jyoti.Burning in a shrine under the arch of India Gate since 1971 is the Amar Jawan Jyoti (the flame of the immortal soldier) which marks the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The shrine itself is a black marble cenotaph with a rifle placed on its barrel, crested by a soldier's helmet. Each face of the cenotaph has inscribed in gold the words "Amar Jawan" (Immortal Warrior).
This cenotaph is itself placed on an edifice which has on its four corners four torches that are perpetually kept alive. It was unveiled in 1971. After the Indo-Pak war of 1971, The then Prime Minister of india Mrs. Indira Gandhi paid homage on behalf of the whole nation on the eve of 23rd republic day (26th january 1972).
Today, it is customary for the President and the Prime Minister, as well as visiting Guests of State, to pay homage at the site on occasions of State ceremonies.

And specially on each Republic Day, 26 January, the Prime Minister pays homage to the soldiers along with Heads of Armed Forces, before joining the annual parade at the Rajpath, It is noteworthy here that the President of India with the chief guest do not get involved in this ceremony on this day.
The flags represent the 3 Indian military forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force), and a soldier from each force guards the gate and tomb for 24 hours, alternating forces every day.

Canopy
Standing right behind the gate is an empty canopy made out of sandstone, also designed by Lutyens, and inspired by a 18th century Mahabalipuram pavilion, that until Independence of India in 1947 had the statue of King George V, which now stands in the Coronation Park, Delhi. There were multiple plans and calls to have a seated or standing statue of Mahatma Gandhi installed.

Engraved with names
Above on both sides is inscribed INDIA, flanked by MCM and to the right, XIX. The surface of the India Gate is engraved with name of 90,000 Indian soldiers and British Officers who died in World War I and the Afghan wars fighting for The British Empire and British India. The names are grouped based on the Regiment the solder belongs to.

Annual Events at India Gate

Republic Day Parade
Every year on 26th January, the day celebrated as the Republic Day of India, the Indian President places a wreath at the eternal flame Amar Jawan Jyoti under the arch of India Gate to pay his respects to the Indian armed forces who laid down their lives for the sake of the country. It is followed by a grand parade that moves along Rajpath, which comprise of marching contingents, tanks and weaponry, vibrant floats, folk dances and school children from different parts of India who participate in this colorful ceremony.

Swar Utsav
This three-day musical extravaganza is organized by the Delhi Tourism every October on the luxuriant lawns of the India Gate. The music lovers are kept enthralled by the performance of the best Indian classical musicians during this event.



Source: Wikipedia

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