In India, which of the following structures was built as a national memorial in honour of soldiers who fought and died in the First World War?

Introduction / Context:
Many countries built war memorials to honour soldiers who served and died in the First World War. In India, a prominent monument in the national capital serves as a memorial to Indian soldiers who fought in various battlefields under the British Indian Army. Recognising which structure fulfils this role is an important part of Indian and world history general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for a structure built in memory of soldiers who fought in the First World War.

• Options include the Gateway of India, Victoria Memorial, Vijay Stambh, and India Gate.

• Only one of these was specifically designed as a large war memorial for soldiers of World War I.

• The structure stands in New Delhi and is often associated with national ceremonies.

Concept / Approach:
India Gate in New Delhi is a monumental arch constructed as a memorial to Indian soldiers who died in the First World War and in certain other campaigns. Their names are inscribed on the walls, and the site later became associated with the Amar Jawan Jyoti flame commemorating unknown soldiers. Although the other listed structures are historically important, they were not built specifically as national war memorials for World War I soldiers.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that India Gate is located at the heart of New Delhi and resembles triumphal arches found in other capitals. Step 2: Remember that India Gate was built to honour Indian soldiers who died in World War I and certain other campaigns, with many names carved on it. Step 3: Note that the Gateway of India in Mumbai was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India, not specifically as a World War I memorial. Step 4: Recognise that Victoria Memorial in Kolkata was constructed in memory of Queen Victoria and is more of a royal monument and museum rather than a First World War memorial. Step 5: Remember that Vijay Stambh in Chittorgarh is a victory tower built centuries earlier to commemorate a different historical victory and is unrelated to World War I.

Verification / Alternative check:
Indian history references describe India Gate as a war memorial dedicated to soldiers of the British Indian Army who died in World War I. Photographs show ceremonial events taking place at India Gate, particularly on national days of remembrance. In contrast, explanations of the Gateway of India and Victoria Memorial emphasise royal connections rather than war commemoration, confirming that India Gate is the correct structure for this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Gateway of India marks a royal visit and later became a symbolic ceremonial gateway, but it was not primarily a war memorial.

• Victoria Memorial is dedicated to Queen Victoria and functions as a museum of the British period in India.

• Vijay Stambh is a fifteenth century victory tower from Rajput history, long before the First World War.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse India Gate with Gateway of India because their names sound similar and both are arches. The key difference is their location and purpose: India Gate is in New Delhi and is a war memorial, while Gateway of India is in Mumbai and commemorates a royal visit. Keeping this distinction clear helps avoid common mistakes in competitive exams.

Final Answer:
The national memorial to soldiers who fought in the First World War is India Gate in New Delhi.