One of the popular monuments of India is India Gate that is located in the heart of India’s capital city. Sir Edwin Lutyens designed this monument which holds great significance in the life of Indian people. This is an epitome of care and patriotism as on the bricks of this huge monument names of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the safety o f the Indian citizens have been in scripted. Most of the soldiers whose names have ornamented the walls of this monument have either lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I or the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. It bears the names of 70,000 Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives while fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The Duke of Connaught established the foundation stone in 1921. However, the monument was obligated to the nation after a prolonged period of ten years. A canopy placed opposite to India Gate earlier contained the statue of George V, Emperor of India which was then later shifted to the Coronation Park containing other statues of British Raj era.
Site
The location of the 42-metre tall significant Indian Monument has been located such that many essential roads link out from it. It saw continuous traffic unless the roads were closed to the public. Even the lawns surrounding the Rajpath are massively visited by families when the monument gets lit up in the evening. The complete arch is erected on a low platform formed of red Bharatpur stone and eventually rises in stages forming a huge molding.
The most significant part of the monument is the constantly burning "Amar Jawan Jyoti" right under the arch of India Gate since January 26, 1971 which has been named after Unknown Soldier, an Indian soldier killed during the First World War. It proudly stands as the fearless pride of India. Moreover, the parade on the Republic day passes through India Gate after initiating from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Canopy
Sandstone made empty canopy inspired by a sixth-century pavilion from Mahabalipuram, also stands right opposite the India Gate. Recently rumors of installing a statue of a national hero regulated but have not been executed yet. Four Delhi order columns were used by Lutyens in order to provide support to the canopy cut in dome shape as well as the Chhajja. He had passed a Delhi Order while designing the Rashtrapati Bhavan as per which small bells will be placed hanging from the capitals of the columns.
Statue
Statue of King George V which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens as well was earlier placed in the Canopy opposite India Gate. However, it was later shifted to the Coronation Park. It used to stand on a very tall platform and seemed to be wearing the coronation robes as well as the Imperial State Crown. The pedestal have the words GEORGE V R I ('R I' standing for 'Rex Imperator', Latin for 'King Emperor') written on it. There is also an emblem of British India, the Order of the Star of India.
