Explained: India’s National War Memorial

Nearly six decades after it was first proposed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National War Memorial, sprawled over 40 acres at the India Gate complex in the heart of the national capital.

Click to enlarge (Pictures by Abhinav Saha)

Nearly six decades after it was first proposed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the National War Memorial, sprawled over 40 acres at the India Gate complex in the heart of the national capital. The Memorial has five concentric circles, a central stone obelisk, and an eternal flame. The centre of the complex lies at a lower level than the surrounding features. The Memorial has been built at a cost of Rs 176 crore.

Watch video: India’s war memorial

Road to remembrance

1960s: The proposal for a National War Memorial was first made; the demand was repeated several times in the decades that followed.

2012: Defence Minister A K Antony said Memorial would be built at India Gate; Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit, activists opposed choice of site. Attempt to introduce Cabinet note fell though.

2015: Cabinet gave in-principle approval for Rs 500-crore project in October, construction at C Hexagon was sanctioned in December.

2016: International competition was held to decide the design of the Memorial.

2017: In March, jury led by architect and planner Christopher Benninger picked entry by Yogesh Chandrahasan of WeBe Design Ltd.

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2018: NCC Ltd, Hyderabad began construction in February with Chandrahasan as Project Consultant.

Sukrita Baruah

Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges. Expertise and Experience Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts. Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities. Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East. Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for: Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms. Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More