India Gate - National monument

2011-07-21 62

"India Gate is a national monument that is dedicated to soldiers who died in the World War. 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 Empire in India British Raj in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. It is composed of red sandstone and granite. Originally, a Statue of King George V had stood under the now-vacant canopy in front of the India Gate, and was removed to Coronation Park with other statues. 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 (Immortal Soldier). The 42-metre tall India Gate is situated such that many important roads spread out from it. Traffic passing around India Gate used to be continuous until the roads were closed to the public due to terrorist threats. The lawns around Rajpath are thronged by people during the evening, when the India Gate is lit up. Rajpath is also thronged by ice cream and street food vendors during this time and is a popular picnic venue for families. The India Gate hexagon complex covers approximately 306000m² in area with a diameter of about 625m. ""This clip of professionally-shot broadcast stock footage belongs to the archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., and has been filmed on either Digital Betacam or 1080i HD. Please write to us for licensing queries at wfi@vsnl.com and admin@wildfilmsindia.com."