Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity in Gujarat honours Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It stands 182 metres tall and opened in 2018.

Context

The statue was inaugurated on 31 October 2018, the anniversary of Sardar Patel's birth, and stands on an island-like site on the Narmada River near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat. Patel was a leader of the Indian independence movement and became the country's first deputy prime minister, known for helping integrate hundreds of princely states into India.

The structure has a steel and reinforced concrete core clad in bronze, and was designed by the sculptor Ram V. Sutar and built by the engineering firm Larsen and Toubro. The commonly stated height of 182 metres refers to the statue, and visitors can ride lifts to a viewing gallery high up the figure.

It surpassed China's Spring Temple Buddha, which is about 128 metres, to become the tallest statue in the world. Rankings depend on the measurement method, such as whether a base is included, so you may see different figures quoted. As for the comparison with the Statue of Liberty, the American monument is about 93 metres from ground to torch, so the Indian statue is nearly twice as tall.

The statue has been a major tourist attraction since opening, and the project drew attention for its cost and for the debate over spending, with supporters pointing to national pride and tourism. Other very tall statues, such as large Buddha figures in China and Myanmar, have held the record in the past or ranked just behind.