NEW DELHI: Every time India celebrates its Republic Day, the spotlight falls on Kartavya Path, the majestic ceremonial boulevard at the heart of New Delhi. More than just a thoroughfare, this iconic avenue serves as the symbolic and functional epicenter of the nation’s grandest annual celebration.Kartavya Path is approximately three kilometers long — from Rashtrapati Bhavan atop Raisina Hill in the west to India Gate (beyond the National War Memorial and National Stadium) in the east. Originally christened Kingsway during British colonial rule, it was renamed Rajpath after Independence in 1947 to signify rule by the people rather than by a foreign crown.
In September 2022, as part of the ambitious Central Vista Redevelopment Project, it was rechristened Kartavya Path—meaning, Path of Duty.At the heart of Kartavya Path lies Vijay Chowk, the pivotal venue where the President of India, as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, receives the ceremonial salute. Flanked by the imposing North Block and South Block—housing critical government ministries—this spot becomes the focal point of the parade. Dignitaries, foreign guests, and spectators line the avenue, while television viewers nationwide witness the spectacle unfold against a backdrop of grandeur and precision.The avenue’s origins trace back to the early 20th century. In 1911, following the Delhi Durbar, the British decided to relocate India’s capital from Kolkata to Delhi, drawn by its ancient historical and political resonance. Renowned architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker masterminded New Delhi as an imperial showcase, with Kingsway as its central axis—a wide, straight boulevard designed to project power and order. The road’s east-west orientation, descending gently from Raisina Hill, creates a dramatic visual axis. Broad green lawns, shimmering water channels, and neatly aligned trees line its sides, fostering an atmosphere of both authority and accessibility that has endured into the democratic era.After Independence, the first Republic Day Parade in 1950 took place at the Irwin Amphitheater (now the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium), featuring a 31-gun salute and flypasts by the Indian Air Force. From 1951 onward, the event shifted permanently to what was then Rajpath, allowing for a larger-scale military display combined with a vibrant cultural pageant.This blend—military strength alongside folk dances, tableaux from states, and representations of India’s diversity—symbolised the young republic’s values: progress through culture as much as through arms.Less celebrated in popular narratives is the contribution of labour and ingenuity to building this enduring infrastructure. While Lutyens and Baker are household names, the roads of New Delhi—including Kingsway—were constructed under the supervision of contractors like Sardar Narain Singh (also referred to as Narayan Singh in accounts).A skilled Punjabi contractor who had arranged logistics for the 1911 Delhi Durbar, he oversaw the paving of hundreds of miles of metalled roads using labour from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Employing advanced techniques for the era—layering heavy stones, gravel, and charcoal for stability—his work produced avenues remarkably durable for their time, capable of supporting the monumental scale of the new capital.In recent years, Kartavya Path has undergone significant modernization under the Central Vista project. The redevelopment introduced state-of-the-art bituminous surfacing, which is more resilient, cost-effective, and better suited to heavy loads. Today, the avenue withstands the annual parade’s immense demands: marching contingents, horses, elephants, motorcycles, heavy military trucks, and even massive battle tanks roll across its surface without causing the extensive damage seen in earlier decades. Pre-bituminous reconstructions often required post-parade repairs; now, the road remains largely intact, a testament to engineering progress.Kartavya Path’s role extends beyond January 26. It also hosts the poignant Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29, formally concluding Republic Day festivities. Held at Vijay Chowk as evening falls, this military tradition—dating back centuries—features massed bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces. They perform stirring patriotic melodies, including “Sare Jahan Se Achha” and “Vande Mataram,” accompanied by synchronized drills and illuminated fountains.The President arrives escorted by the Presidential Bodyguard, and the ceremony culminates in the national anthem as the national flag is lowered, evoking deep pride and reflection.Ultimately, Kartavya Path transcends its physical form. It embodies India’s transformative journey: from a colonial showcase of subjugation to a democratic stage of empowerment and duty. What began as Kingsway, an axis of imperial dominance, evolved into Rajpath, a symbol of sovereign self-rule, and now stands as Kartavya Path—a reminder that true strength lies in service, responsibility, and unity. Every Republic Day, this living boulevard becomes the nation’s heartbeat, where the spirit of the Indian Republic marches proudly forward, inspiring generations to uphold their kartavya toward a stronger, more inclusive India.(Vivek Shukla is the author of Gandhi’s Delhi)
