Further
east to the Secretarial Building lies the All India War Memorial Arch, now
known as the India Gate. The 42m high free standing arch was designed by
Lutyens and built in 1931. India gate was raised in the memory of 90,000
Indian soldiers killed during the First World War. One the arch itself are
inscribed the the names of the 13,516 British and Indian Officers, who died
on the North-West Frontier and the third Afghan War. Nowadays, it has also
become a memorial to the unknown soldier and is a popular evening spot.To some it offers a few moments of quietude, to others an opportunity to go out with their family, to still others an excuse to be close to nature. Not to forget the youngsters who use its lawns to hone their cricketing skills. Whatever be the reason or excuse, India Gate provides almost every Delhiite a reason to stand, stare and smile.
