This imposing 42m-high stone memorial arch was designed by Lutyens in 1921. It pays tribute to around 90,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in WWI, the Northwest Frontier operations and the 1919 Anglo-Afghan War. The chhatri behind it contained a statue of George V, later moved to Coronation Park. The arch has a constant buzz of tourists, budhdhi ke bal ('old lady's hair' – candyfloss) sellers and other hawkers.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
6.7 MILES
There are extraordinary riches scattered around Mehrauli, with more than 440 monuments – from the 10th century to the British era – dotting a forest and…
3.05 MILES
Founded by Emperor Shah Jahan and surrounded by a magnificent 18m-high wall, this fort took 10 years to construct (1638–48) and is rumoured to have had…
1.86 MILES
Humayun’s tomb is sublimely well proportioned, seeming to float above its symmetrical gardens. It's thought to have inspired the Taj Mahal, which it…
2.62 MILES
A beautiful pocket of calm at the heart of Old Delhi's mayhem, the capital's largest mosque is built on a 10m elevation. It can hold a mind-blowing 25,000…
1.62 MILES
Visiting the marble shrine of Muslim Sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya is Delhi's most mystical, magical experience. The dargah is hidden away in a tangle of…
6.57 MILES
If you only have time to visit one of Delhi's ancient ruins, make it this. The first monuments here were erected by the sultans of Mehrauli, and…
0.85 MILES
Shh, whisper it quietly: this place is better than the Red Fort. Delhi's 'Old Fort' isn't as magnificent in size and grandeur, but it's far more pleasant…
7.18 MILES
This magnificent 14th-century ruined fort, half reclaimed by jungle and gradually being encroached on by villages, was Delhi's third incarnation, built by…
Nearby New Delhi attractions
1. National Gallery of Modern Art
0.34 MILES
Housed in the Maharaja of Jaipur's domed former palace (built in 1936), Delhi’s flagship art gallery displays collections tracing the development of…
0.66 MILES
This glorious, if dusty, museum is full of treasures. Mind-bogglingly ancient, sophisticated figurines from the Harappan civilisation, almost 5000 years…
0.68 MILES
Rajpath (Kingsway) is a vast parade linking India Gate to the offices of the Indian government. Built on an imperial scale between 1914 and 1931, it was…
0.72 MILES
Opposite the fort of Purana Qila, this is a stunningly lovely mosque, now partially ruined, which was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar's wet nurse, Maham…
0.75 MILES
Much of this lovely museum is outside, including tree-shaded carvings and life-size examples of village huts from various regions of India. Displays…
0.85 MILES
Shh, whisper it quietly: this place is better than the Red Fort. Delhi's 'Old Fort' isn't as magnificent in size and grandeur, but it's far more pleasant…
0.96 MILES
This atmospheric 14th-century step-well was once set in the countryside, till the city grew up around it; 103 steps descend to the bottom, flanked by…
8. National Zoological Gardens
1.11 MILES
Founded in 1952, this is a vast green space in the city, covering 86 hectares. Kept in reasonable condition (relatively speaking) are lions, tigers,…