India Gate in New Delhi was designed by which famous architect of the British colonial period?

Introduction / Context:
India Gate is one of the most iconic monuments in New Delhi and appears frequently in questions on Indian history, art, and architecture. It is a war memorial constructed during the British period, and knowing its architect helps you link colonial architecture with key personalities. Exams often ask about which architect designed capital city buildings such as India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The structure in question is India Gate, located in New Delhi.
• The options include four famous architects: Frank Lloyd Wright, Sir Edwin Lutyens, Frank Gehry, and Zaha Hadid.
• We are concerned with the original design during the British colonial era.
• We assume the standard historical record about Delhi s planning and architecture.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is colonial city planning. When the British decided to shift their capital from Calcutta to Delhi in the early twentieth century, they engaged Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker to design the new imperial capital now known as New Delhi. Lutyens designed several important buildings and monuments, including India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and parts of the central vista. Recognising his name in the options immediately points to the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that New Delhi was designed mainly by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker during the British rule. Step 2: Associate India Gate, a war memorial for Indian soldiers who died in World War One, with Lutyens architectural style. Step 3: Look at the options and identify Sir Edwin Lutyens as the only British architect closely linked with the planning of New Delhi. Step 4: Note that Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Gehry, and Zaha Hadid were modern or contemporary architects working mainly in the United States or other regions, not in colonial India. Step 5: Select Sir Edwin Lutyens as the correct answer based on this historical connection.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard Indian history and art books clearly mention that Sir Edwin Lutyens designed India Gate as part of the larger plan for New Delhi. Rashtrapati Bhavan is also famously called Lutyens creation. This information is widely repeated in school textbooks and competitive exam study material, which confirms that choosing Sir Edwin Lutyens is accurate and reliable.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Frank Lloyd Wright: An American architect known for organic architecture such as Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum, with no role in designing India Gate.
Frank Gehry: A contemporary Canadian American architect known for highly modern, deconstructivist designs like the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, not for colonial Indian monuments.
Zaha Hadid: A modern Iraqi British architect known for futuristic designs. She worked many decades after India Gate was constructed, so she cannot be its designer.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students confuse the names of famous architects without linking them to their time period or region. It is helpful to remember that India Gate and much of New Delhi are associated with Lutyens Delhi, which is a standard phrase used in newspapers and geography chapters. This simple association removes confusion with other modern architects.

Final Answer:
India Gate in New Delhi was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.