| It commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers
who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during
the First World War and bears the names of more than
13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern
Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919.
The foundation stone was laid by His Royal Highness,
the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and was designed by Edwin
Lutyens.
The monument was dedicated to the nation 10 years later
by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin. Another memorial, Amar
Jawan Jyoti was added much later, after India got its
independence.
It is in the form of a flame that burns day and night
under the arch to remind the nation of soldiers who
laid down their lives in the Indo-Pakistan War of December
1971.
The entire arch stands on a low base of red Bharatpur
stone and rises in stages to a huge molding, beneath,
which are inscribed Imperial sons. Above on both sides
is inscribed INDIA, flanked by MCM and to the right,
XIX.
The shallow domed bowl at the top was intended to
be filled with burning oil on anniversaries but this
is rarely done.
Surrounding the imposing structure is a large expanse
of lush green lawns, which is a popular picnic spot.
One can see hoards of people moving about the brightly
lit area and on the lawns on summer evenings.
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