Rajpath Renamed to Kartavya Path
New Delhi’s iconic Rajpath, the road from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, is renamed Kartavya Path (the Path of Duty), in line with PM Modi’s stress on the abolition of symbols relating to the colonial mindset. As the revamped ceremonial boulevard is ready along with the Central Vista lawns unveiled to the public yesterday 8th September 2022.
Why Kartavya Path:
The new name – Kartavya Path – comes in line with PM Modi’s thrust on shedding names and symbols reminiscent of the British era and the last vestiges of colonialism. On August 15, 2022, addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on India’s 75th Independence Day – Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav – PM Modi emphasized doing away with names and symbols which stemmed from the colonial mindset. Even before that, the government has been renaming iconic landmarks, including the address of the Prime Minister’s official residence. While it was earlier on Race Course Road in New Delhi, it was changed to Lok Kalyan Marg. Just days ago, the PM had unveiled the Indian Navy’s new ensign which had shed the St George’s Cross. Kartavya Path stresses PM Modi’s emphasis on “duty” in the run-up to 2047 as India marks 100 years of Independence.
Before Rajpath:
In 1911 the British Imperial Government and the Viceregal administration determined that the capital of the British Indian Empire should be moved from Calcutta to Delhi.
Accordingly, construction in that year began in the district of New Delhi, which would serve as the purpose-built administrative capital of the Indian Empire. The British Raj duly turned to Sir Edwin Lutyens to construct the new city.
Lutyens conceived of a modern imperial city centered around a “ceremonial axis”, such axis being the large boulevard now called the Rajpath. Lutyens wanted a panoramic view of the city of Delhi from the viceregal palace.
Consequently, the view from Raisina Hill runs unhindered across Rajpath and the India Gate and is obstructed only by the National Stadium. Most of the buildings surrounding the Rajpath were designed by Lutyens and the second architect of the project, Sir Herbert Baker. The importance of such buildings in the government of India ensures the road’s importance.
From Kingsway to Rajpath to Now Kartavya Path:
The Kartavya Path, which translates to “Boulevard of Duty” runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House) on Raisina Hill, through Vijay Chowk to India Gate. It stretches westward from the National Stadium through the War Memorial arch (India Gate), to the Central Secretariat buildings.
When built the road was named King’s Way, or Kingsway, in honor of the Emperor of India George V, who had visited Delhi during the Durbar of 1911, and where the emperor formally proclaimed the decision to move the capital.
The name was similar to Kingsway in London, which had been opened in 1905, which was also a custom-built arterial road, and which had been named in honor of George V’s father, Edward VII (as King of the United Kingdom).
Following India’s independence, the road was given its Hindi name, ‘Rajpath’, in place of its English designation. This represents a mere translation more than a substantial renaming, since ‘Rajpath’ in Hindi is broadly analogous in meaning to ‘King’s Way.
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