Rajpath
Encyclopedia
Rajpath is the ceremonial boulevard
for the Republic of India. It runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan
through Vijay Chowk and India Gate
to National Stadium, Delhi. The New Delhi
avenue is lined on both sides by lawns with rows of trees and ponds. Considered to be one of the most important roads in India, the annual Republic Day
parade takes place here on January 26. The road goes straight towards Raisina Hill
, India's administrative centre. Janpath
crosses the road. Rajpath runs in east-west direction. Roads from Connaught Place
, the financial centre of Delhi, run into Rajpath from north.
After climbing Raisina Hill, Rajpath is flanked by the North and South Blocks of the Secretariat Building. Finally it ends at the gates of Rashtrapati Bhavan. At Vijay Chowk it crosses Sansad Marg, and the Parliament House of India
can be seen to the right when coming from the India Gate.
Rajpath itself is the road used on 26th January each year for India's Republic Day Parade. The celebrations of India becoming a republic take place with a showcase of India's cultural diversity and military might. It is also used for funeral processions of key political leaders of India. The opening scene of the movie Gandhi
starts at Rajpath.
architect Edwin Lutyens
. Rajpath was of central importance to the plan. Lutyens wanted a panoramic view of the city of Delhi from the Viceroy’s palace. The view from Raisina Hill runs unhindered across Rajpath and India Gate and is obstructed only by the National Stadium.
Most of the buildings surrounding Rajpath, were designed by Lutyens and Herbert Baker
.
Boulevard
A Boulevard is type of road, usually a wide, multi-lane arterial thoroughfare, divided with a median down the centre, and roadways along each side designed as slow travel and parking lanes and for bicycle and pedestrian usage, often with an above-average quality of landscaping and scenery...
for the Republic of India. It runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan
Rashtrapati Bhavan
The Rashtrapati Bhavan or The Official Residence of the Head of the State is the official residence of the President of India, located at Raisina hill in New Delhi, India. Until 1950 it was known as "Viceroy's House" and served as the residence of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India...
through Vijay Chowk and India Gate
India Gate
The India Gate is the national monument of India. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was built in 1931...
to National Stadium, Delhi. The New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
avenue is lined on both sides by lawns with rows of trees and ponds. Considered to be one of the most important roads in India, the annual Republic Day
Republic Day (India)
The Republic Day of India commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950....
parade takes place here on January 26. The road goes straight towards Raisina Hill
Raisina Hill
Raisina Hill is an area of Lutyens' Delhi, New Delhi, housing India's most important government buildings, including Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India and the Secretariat building housing the Prime Minister's Office and several other important ministries...
, India's administrative centre. Janpath
Janpath
Janpath , translated the "People's Path", is one of the main roads in New Delhi. It starts out as Radial Road 1 in Connaught Place, adjacent to Palika Bazaar, and runs North-South perpendicular to, and past Rajpath...
crosses the road. Rajpath runs in east-west direction. Roads from Connaught Place
Connaught Place, New Delhi
Connaught Place Connaught Place Connaught Place (Hindi: कनॉट प्लेस, (officially Rajiv Chowk) is one of the largest financial, commercial and business centers in Delhi. It is often abbreviated as CP and houses the headquarters of several Indian firms. Its surroundings occupy a place of pride...
, the financial centre of Delhi, run into Rajpath from north.
After climbing Raisina Hill, Rajpath is flanked by the North and South Blocks of the Secretariat Building. Finally it ends at the gates of Rashtrapati Bhavan. At Vijay Chowk it crosses Sansad Marg, and the Parliament House of India
Parliament of India
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body in India. Founded in 1919, the Parliament alone possesses legislative supremacy and thereby ultimate power over all political bodies in India. The Parliament of India comprises the President and the two Houses, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha...
can be seen to the right when coming from the India Gate.
Rajpath itself is the road used on 26th January each year for India's Republic Day Parade. The celebrations of India becoming a republic take place with a showcase of India's cultural diversity and military might. It is also used for funeral processions of key political leaders of India. The opening scene of the movie Gandhi
Gandhi (film)
Gandhi is a 1982 biographical film based on the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who led the nonviolent resistance movement against British colonial rule in India during the first half of the 20th century. The film was directed by Richard Attenborough and stars Ben Kingsley as Gandhi. They both...
starts at Rajpath.
History
The city plan of New Delhi (the area surrounding Rajpath) was made by the BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
architect Edwin Lutyens
Edwin Lutyens
Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA was a British architect who is known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era...
. Rajpath was of central importance to the plan. Lutyens wanted a panoramic view of the city of Delhi from the Viceroy’s palace. The view from Raisina Hill runs unhindered across Rajpath and India Gate and is obstructed only by the National Stadium.
Most of the buildings surrounding Rajpath, were designed by Lutyens and Herbert Baker
Herbert Baker
Sir Herbert Baker was a British architect.Baker was the dominant force in South African architecture for two decades, 1892–1912....
.
Landmarks
- The Rashtrapati BhavanRashtrapati BhavanThe Rashtrapati Bhavan or The Official Residence of the Head of the State is the official residence of the President of India, located at Raisina hill in New Delhi, India. Until 1950 it was known as "Viceroy's House" and served as the residence of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India...
, the official residence of the President of India. It was the Viceroy's residence before India got its independence from Britain. - North Block and South Block, also called the Secretariat Building. North Block hosts the offices of Finance and Home ministries. South Block hosts External affairs and Defense ministries. Other important offices like some of the Prime Ministers Offices are also in the Secretariat Buildings.
- Vijay Chowk (Hindi for Victory Square) is a spacious plaza and the site of Beating the Retreat ceremony, which takes place on 29th January each year, which marks the end of Republic DayRepublic DayRepublic Day is the name of a holiday in several countries to commemorate the day when they became republics.-1 January in the Republic of Slovakia:This was the day of creation of the Republic of Slovakia. A national holiday since 1993...
celebrations, in which Military Bands, Pipes and Drums Bands, Buglers and Trumpeters from various Army Regiments besides bands Navy and Air Force take part, with the President of IndiaPresident of IndiaThe President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
as the Chief Guest. - India GateIndia GateThe India Gate is the national monument of India. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was built in 1931...
is India's war memorial arch in honour of those who died in the First World War and the Second Anglo-Afghan WarSecond Anglo-Afghan WarThe Second Anglo-Afghan War was fought between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan from 1878 to 1880, when the nation was ruled by Sher Ali Khan of the Barakzai dynasty, the son of former Emir Dost Mohammad Khan. This was the second time British India invaded Afghanistan. The war ended in a manner...
. It is also India's memorial of the unknown soldier.