Teen Murti Memorial – Remembering India's Cavalry Heroes of Haifa

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In the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, at the junction of Safdarjung Road, Kamraj Marg, and Teen Murti Marg, stands a striking traffic island adorned with three mounted cavalrymen, lances raised and eyes fixed forward. This is the Teen Murti Memorial—a powerful tribute to the bravery of Indian soldiers who fought far from home in the First World War.

While thousands of people pass by it daily, few know the story behind this monument and the historic battle it commemorates.

Close-up of bronze cavalry statues at Teen Murti Memorial honoring the Battle of Haifa
Bronze Statues of Indian Cavalry Regiments – Teen Murti Memorial


A Memorial to Indian Cavalry Regiments

The Teen Murti Memorial was unveiled in 1922 to honour the soldiers of the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade, which was composed of three regiments from Indian princely states:

  • Mysore Lancers

  • Jodhpur Lancers

  • Hyderabad Lancers

These regiments played a pivotal role in the Battle of Haifa on 23 September 1918, one of the final and most dramatic cavalry charges in military history, during the campaign in Palestine against the Ottoman Empire.

Design and Symbolism

The memorial features:

  • Three life-sized bronze statues of cavalrymen in full uniform, mounted on horses, with lances raised.

  • Each figure represents one of the three regiments.

  • The statues stand around a central sandstone obelisk.

One side of the memorial carries the poignant inscription:

"Their Name Liveth For Evermore"

Another panel commemorates the Mysore Lancers specifically, recognizing their leadership role in the charge on Haifa.

📷 The symmetry of the riders and the simplicity of the sandstone column enhance the solemnity and elegance of the memorial.

Traffic island view of Teen Murti Chowk in Delhi with symmetrical palm tree alignment and WWI memorial
Symmetrical Layout of Teen Murti Memorial and Palms – New Delhi

 

The Battle of Haifa – A Forgotten Chapter

On 23 September 1918, the Indian cavalry, under General Allenby’s command, launched a daring assault on the fortified city of Haifa (in present-day Israel). Despite facing machine guns and artillery, the Indian regiments captured the city with minimal casualties—a feat that was praised by British and global military historians.

In recognition of this act of gallantry, the date 23rd September is observed as Haifa Day by the Indian Army, particularly by cavalry and armoured regiments.

The Legacy and Teen Murti Bhavan

Right next to the memorial is the historic Teen Murti Bhavan, which was once the residence of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. Today, it houses the Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, adding another layer of national memory to this location.

Together, the memorial and the Bhavan form a node where India’s military, political, and architectural histories converge.

Wide-angle view of Teen Murti Memorial at a traffic island surrounded by palm trees in Delhi
Teen Murti Memorial – Wide View at Traffic Island, New Delhi


Visiting Details

  • 📍 Location: Teen Murti Chowk, near Safdarjung Road, New Delhi

  • 🕒 Open Air Memorial: Viewable at all times

  • 🎟️ Entry: Free (memorial is at a traffic roundabout)

  • 📷 Photography: Allowed from sidewalks and viewing points


The Teen Murti Memorial is more than a traffic landmark—it is a testament to the courage and contribution of Indian soldiers who fought in far-off lands, often with little recognition in popular history.

Next time you pass by it, take a moment to reflect on the galloping hooves, raised lances, and the enduring legacy of the men who never came back—but whose names, indeed, liveth for evermore.

Happy travelling.

🔗 Related Articles on India’s Memorials and Monuments:





Location: TEEN MURTI BHAVAN, Teen Murti Marg Area, New Delhi, Delhi 110011

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