India Gate
India Gate, the heart of Delhi, lies at the foot of Raisina Hills. It is at the middle of Delhi and to the west of Purana Quila. This is surrounded by spacious lawns and shallow tanks.
In fact, India Gate is a War Memorial Arch. It was built by Lutyens, the planner of New Delhi, in honour of 60,000 soldiers who died overseas in World War I. In cream sandstone, 139 feet (42 metre) high, it is inscribed with the names of over 13,000 Indian and British soldiers, missing or presumed to be dead. Now an eternal flame burns beneath the arch in memory of those who died in the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Facing west from India Gate are the lawns, which along with Rajpath and the President’s House, serve as the arena for the colourful spectacle of India’s Republic Day celebrations on 26th January every year. Some of the important places near the India Gate are National Museum of India and the Children’s Park.
