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Description:

King George V Memorial Made of cream and pink stone, it is set in a rectangular pool with fountains and once contained an excellent marble statue of King George V by C.S. Jagger. However thanks to Indian politicians, who frequently break out into a rash of wanting to undo history or more aptly its reminders, the statue was dispatched to Delhi’s junkyard of history – the Coronation Memorial Park beyond Kingsway camp.

The canopy of course stands unmolested and is decorated with allegorical sculpture and symbols of kingship. The nautilus shells symbolize Britain’s maritime prowess – Britain was, after all, at one time the undisputed queen of the seas. The canopy is a pleasant counterpoint to the bulk of India Gate and you can frequently spot pigeons perching on it. Facing the elephantine arch of India Gate is a classical version of the chhattri or cenotaph so dear to Hindu kings and the sure symbol of regality in India. Lutyens perhaps designed it as a token gesture to keep the King who wanted oriental features happy. But chances are he would still have preferred to describe it as an open cupola or a baldachino.