US President Donald Trump shared the picture of India Gate on social media platform and described it as wonderful.
New Delhi’s India Gate is not just a huge stone arch, but a symbol of India’s military history, colonial period and modern national spirit. Recently, US President Donald Trump, while sharing the picture of India Gate on his social media platform, described it as very spectacular and announced that he will visit Washington D.C. I want to build an even grander arch than this.
While talking about the preparations for the celebrations related to the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, he talked to his loved ones about the construction of an Independence Arch in Washington. After this discussion, Trump shared the picture of India Gate on his social media. Wrote in its praise and then also talked to PM Narendra Modi.
Come, let us know why Trump liked India Gate on the pretext of this initiative of American President Donald Trump? Know its history, specialties and 10 interesting things.
Why did Trump’s eyes stop at India Gate?
In fact, India Gate stands out among the other Triumphal Arches of the world on all three levels of grandeur, historical depth and emotional symbolism. Like the Arc de Triomphe of Paris, India Gate is also built in the memory of the soldiers martyred in the war and standing at the eastern end of Rajpath (now Duty Path), it seems as if it salutes the entire nation. It is this combination that inspired Trump to envision an India Gate-style arch in Washington for the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, and he did not even have it in mind. He also informed the world by sharing the picture of India Gate on his social media account.
India Gate: From colonial monument to national symbol
The original name of India Gate was All India War Memorial. It was built in memory of the British Indian soldiers martyred in the First World War (1914–1918) and the Afghan War of 1919. On 10 February 1921, the Duke of Connaught (son of Queen Victoria) laid its foundation stone. The designer of the memorial was Sir Edwin Lutyens, the same architect who prepared the master plan of New Delhi and built many war memorials across Europe. Almost ten years later, on 12 February 1931, the then Viceroy Lord Irwin officially dedicated it to the public. In the same year when New Delhi got formal recognition as the capital of India.
Built as the official war memorial of the British Empire, this memorial has today become associated with the national identity of independent India. After independence, it also started being seen as a symbol of the anonymous martyr and after 1971, its identity became deeper.
Design, design and inspiration
India Gate is a huge sandstone arch, whose total height is about 42 meters (about 138 feet). Its architecture is believed to be inspired by many sources. Overall, it resembles the Arc de Triomphe of Paris, from where the inspiration for the Vijay Torana style is clearly visible. Some scholars also link it to the inspiration for the pavilions and South Indian pavilions of Mahabalipuram, a subtle nod to India’s ancient architectural tradition.
Lutyens designed it to rise in stages on a strong base of red Bharatpur stone, gradually turning into tapering arches. The names of Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the First World War and the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the walls of the memorial. This memorial is dedicated to an estimated approximately 70 thousand Indian soldiers. Of these, the names of more than 13 thousand are inscribed on the arch.
Amar Jawan Jyoti A modern tribute to the heroes of India
The Amar Jawan Jyoti, located just below the India Gate, linked this memorial to the military tradition of the new India. Following the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and the liberation of Bangladesh, this permanent flame was dedicated to the nation by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 26 January 1972 in memory of the martyred Indian soldiers. The scene of a rifle (L1A1 self-loading rifle) placed upside down on a black marble platform and a soldier’s helmet on top of it has become a universal image of the unnamed martyr.
All around the platform, urns filled with flame (now fueled by eco-friendly gas) keep burning and Amar Jawan is written in golden letters in every direction. It is here that the Prime Minister and the Army Chief pay homage on Republic Day and other national occasions. Due to this, India Gate has become not just a colonial monument but a pilgrimage site for the martyrs of independent India.
Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Why did India Gate attract Trump?
While sharing the picture of India Gate, Donald Trump wrote that it is a very beautiful Vijay Arch and he wants to build an even grander structure in America. There are many reasons behind this.
- Grandeur and Scale: Standing amidst an open road (Rajpath), lush green lawns and a straight road leading into the distance, this 42 meter high monument provides inspiration for a grand national symbol to any leader or architect.
- Association with National Festival: The Republic Day parade in front of India Gate is an internationally recognized image. Trump similarly wants to see a permanent symbol for America’s 250th independence anniversary.
- International tradition of Vijay Toran: There are also triumphal arches in cities like Rome, Paris, Berlin. India Gate is a modern continuation of this tradition. The Independence Arch that Trump is envisioning wants to be included in this global category.
- Diplomatic Message: By praising a popular and recognizable monument of India, Trump also sends a political message of closeness of India-US relations and personal relationship with Prime Minister Modi.
This is the reason why this monument in the capital of India gave direction to the imagination of the proposed monument to be built for the capital of America.
10 interesting things related to India Gate
- Original name and purpose: It was earlier called the All India War Memorial and its purpose was to commemorate the soldiers of the British Indian Army who died in the First World War and the Afghan War of 1919.
- Designer Sir Edwin Lutyens: Lutyens, the architect of India Gate, was not only the principal planner of New Delhi, but he also designed about 66 war memorials in Europe, including London’s famous Cenotaph.
- Height and Structure: This monument is approximately 42 meters (138 feet) high. Made of red and light brown sandstone, this arch rises from a strong square base and turns into a tapering arch, due to which it looks very balanced and attractive when seen from a distance.
- Immortal echo of the names of martyrs: The names of more than 13 thousand Indian soldiers are inscribed on the walls of India Gate. These are the soldiers who were martyred on various fronts in France, Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and the Afghan border.
- Symbolism of the British Sun: The sun symbols carved on the cornices of India Gate were considered a symbol of the British Empire’s claim that the sun never sets on the British Empire. Today the same symbol stands under the sky of independent India, reminding us of the changing wheels of history.
- From Rajpath to Dutva Path: The Ceremonial Axis at the eastern end of which India Gate is situated, was first called Kingsway and then Rajpath. Now its name is Duty Path. This change has linked the identity of the monument to more democratic and civic duty.
- The statue of the king once stood below India Gate: The canopy located near India Gate once had a huge statue of King George V, which was removed after independence. This chhatri now stands empty and is a silent witness to the transition from colonial to indigenous.
- The constant flame of the immortal young flame: The flame that burned here continuously for decades since 1972 established it as a pilgrimage site for soldiers. Before the Republic Day Parade, the salute to the martyrs is given here, which is watched by the country and the world.
- Flags of the three armies: The flags of the Army, Air Force and Navy are prominently visible in the India Gate complex. This place is also a symbol of the united spirit of the armed forces and inter-service unity.
- Favorite picnic spot of Delhiites: Along with being a serious historical site, India Gate is also a place of happiness, interaction and picnic for the common people. It is one of the most popular places in Delhi for its lush green surrounding lawns, twinkling lights in the evening, cool breeze and open air seating in summers.
One monument, many layers
Starting from the colonial war memorial, the journey of India Gate has today reached the center of pride of independent India, the immortal story of martyrs and democratic celebrations. Its praise by Donald Trump and the idea of Independence Arch inspired by it show that this monument has now become a part not only of India but also of the global architectural and memorial culture.
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