The INDIA GATE in NEW DELHI….a Tribute to War Heroes.

The India Gate situated in Delhi,was part of the work of the Imperial War Graves Commission (I.W.G.C), which came into existence in December 1917 for building war graves and memorials for the soldiers killed in the First World War.

The foundation stone of the All-India War Memorial was laid on 10 February 1921,by the visiting Duke of Connaught in a solemn soldierly ceremony attended by Officers and Men of the British Indian Army, Imperial Service Troops, the Commander in Chief, and Chelmsford, the viceroy.

On the occasion, the viceroy said, “The stirring tales of individual heroism, will live for ever in the annals of this country”, and that the memorial which was a tribute to the memory of heroes, “known and unknown” would inspire, future generations to endure hardships with similar fortitude and “no less valour”.

In the decade between the laying of foundation stone of the War memorial and its inauguration, the rail-line was shifted to run along the Yamuna river, and the NewDelhi Railway Station was opened in 1926.

The India gate, which is illuminated every evening, from 19:00 to 21:30, is a major tourist attraction. The Republic Day Parade starts from Rashtrapati Bhavan and passes around the India Gate.

Below the word INDIA on the Arch the following lines in capital letters,is inscribed:

TO THE DEAD OF THE INDIAN ARMIES WHO FELL AND ARE HONOURED IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS MESOPOTAMIA AND PERSIA EAST AFRICA GALLIPOLI AND ELSEWHERE IN THE NEAR AND THE FAR-EAST AND IN SACRED MEMORY ALSO OF THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE HERE RECORDED AND WHO FELL IN INDIA OR THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER AND DURING THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR.

Dedicated to all The Soldiers who showed their valour and sacrificed their lives for building our Nation.

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