National War Memorial

Near India Gate in central Delhi, the National War Memorial commemorates members of the Indian Armed Forces who died in service after independence. Its central obelisk is surrounded by four concentric circles and walls bearing more than 26,000 names. The circles represent immortality, bravery, sacrifice and protection. Inside the grounds, displays cover significant battles and military operations, while an eternal flame honours the fallen. Visit to understand the memorial’s symbolism and spend time in its quiet, carefully kept grounds.

The four circles and their meanings

The memorial is arranged around a central obelisk, with four concentric circles carrying distinct names and meanings. Amar Chakra represents immortality, Veerta Chakra bravery, Tyag Chakra sacrifice and Rakshak Chakra protection. Together, the circles give the grounds a clear structure for a visit: follow the design and consider the values attached to each part.

Walls around the obelisk carry more than 26,000 names. The memorial honours soldiers who died in conflicts and operations after India’s independence, including the 1962 war with China, the wars with Pakistan, the Kargil conflict of 1999 and Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka.

Displays and the eternal flame

The memorial’s educational displays cover significant battles and military operations. The grounds also include a statue of soldiers and examples of arms used by them, adding objects to the history told through the names and inscriptions.

An eternal flame burns at the memorial. Its position, near India Gate and aligned with the central obelisk, connects the site’s design with its role as a place of remembrance. In the evening, lighting changes the appearance of the monument; Sunday evenings also bring a Change of Guard Ceremony, with a band display before the Retreat Drill.