Introduction
Sardar Patel, known as the "Iron Man of India," is honored with the Statue of Unity, which is twice as tall as New York's Statue of Liberty. In Gujarat, the memorial lies near the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River. In many aspects, the Statue is one-of-a-kind. It is not only the world's tallest Statue but also among the iconic statues that were created in the shortest amount of time. The 182-meter-high Statue of Unity was completed in just 33 months, compared to nearly ten years for the Statue of Liberty.
Statue of Liberty vs. Statue of Unity
The Statue of Unity is distinguished from the Statue of Liberty because it was created in honor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, an Indian freedom hero. The Statue of Liberty was built to symbolize Liberty and democracy.
The Statue of Unity is located in Gujarat, India. It's a bronze sculpture, by the way. It was built in honor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, an Indian liberation warrior. He was also a key influence behind the unification of all Indian states when India and Pakistan were partitioned. But, unfortunately, it's only been around for 1.5 years.
The Statue of Liberty in Manhattan, New York City, may be seen. It's a copper statue that stands 93 meters tall. Frederic Auguste Bartholdi designed it. It's a statue of Libertas, the Roman goddess of Liberty. On the other hand, the Statue of Liberty appears to be significantly more beautiful. It's been around for 133 years and still looks great.
Difference Between Statue of Liberty and Statue of Unity in Tabular Form
| Parameters of Comparison | Statue of Liberty | Statue of Unity |
| Location | Situated on the New York Harbor’s Liberty Island in New York City | It is situated near Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada river in Gujarat |
| Built by | Frederic Auguste Barthold | It was built by Larsen & Toubro |
| Height | 93m in height | 182m |
| Made by | made of copper | bronze sculpture |
| Old | It is 133 years old | 1.5years old |
What is the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty, which stands in New York Harbor on Liberty Island, is one of the most famous statues. It was dedicated on October 18, 1886. It is meant to represent Liberty and democracy. Even though French and American funds co-founded the Statue, it is said to have been a valuable gift from France to the people of the United States.
Joseph Pulitzer, the publisher of the New York Times, organized a crowd-funding campaign that raised more than $100,000 to help pay for the Statue's erection. The Statue was sculpted in France in July 1884 and shipped to New York in June 1885. On October 28, 1886, it was inaugurated by President Grover Cleveland.
Libertas are symbolized by the Statue of Liberty, a robed lady. In her right hand, the goddess holds a torch that she raises above her head. In her hand, she has a tabula with the Roman numerals "JULY IV MDCCLXXVI" (July 4, 1776), which is the date of the United States Declaration of Independence.
A broken chain rests on her feet as she walks forward. The interior of the Statue of Liberty is made of iron, while the exterior is made of copper. It stands at a height of 93 meters. Gustave Eiffel, a civil engineer from France,
The Statue of Liberty stands at the entrance to New York Harbour. It is a hollow colossus composed of thinly pounded copper sheets on top of a steel structure. It was created by sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi in conjunction with engineer Gustave Eiffel as a gift from France for the 100th anniversary of American independence in 1876. Its design and construction were acclaimed as one of the most significant technological triumphs of the nineteenth century and a bridge between art and engineering at the time. Since her dedication in 1886, the Statue of Liberty has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States from its pedestal (designed by American architect Richard Morris Hunt).
The Statue is a masterwork of gigantic sculpture revived in the nineteenth century, following in the footsteps of antiquity but with hints of Art Nouveau. It emphasized modern ideals by using classical themes and imagery. The interior iron structure is a daunting and sophisticated feat of engineering, architecture, and art, with considerable use of concrete in the foundation, flexible curtain-wall construction that supports the skin, and electricity to light the torch. Édouard René de Laboulaye designed the Statue in collaboration with Bartholdi to represent international friendship, peace, and progress, particularly the historical connection between France and the United States. Its worldwide subscription financing was also significant. The Declaration of Independence, which the Statue holds in her left hand, and the shattered shackles from which she steps are both extremely symbolic elements of the design.
In terms of its location and setting, form and design, materials and substance, usage and function, and spirit and feeling, the Statue of Liberty is authentic. The design and intent of the Statue have been maintained since its erection. In 1986, the inside iron strapwork supporting the metal skin was replaced with corrosion-resistant stainless steel. All repairs were completed with great care to ensure that the original design and materials were preserved. The property is subject to a formal monitoring program. Pollution, bad weather, and big crowds are all known and possible risks to the property's authenticity.
What is the Statue of Unity?
The Statue of Unity is dedicated to Sardar Patel. The decision to keep the height at 182 meters was taken to match Gujarat's total number of assembly seats.
Around 3,400 workers were involved in the building of the Statue. The sculpture is near the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat. The project was first announced in 2010 by then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, with a groundbreaking ceremony on October 31, 2013.
The contract for the monument will be granted to the Indian multinational L&T next year. It took only 33 months to build. Through a' Loha campaign, ' they could collect the iron they required for construction.
As part of its endeavor, the Trust has collected iron from every state in the country. As a result, an estimated 50,00,000 kg of iron was crowdsourced, and over 3,400 people were engaged in the construction of Sardar Patel's memorial. They estimated that the Statue's initial cost would be around Rs 3,001 crore.
After completing the bidding process for the monument's design, construction, and upkeep, Larsen and Turbo were awarded the contract in October 2014 for Rs 2,989 crore. The government had set a deadline of mid-October 2018 to complete the project and dedicate the Statue to Patel's 143rd birthday.
On October 31, 2018, the world's tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, was unveiled in Kevadia, Gujarat, against the stunning Satpura and Vindhyachal hills. The 182-meter (about 600-foot) statue honors Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the architect of India's independence. The colossal monument, which stands over the Narmada River, is an homage to India 'from the people of Gujarat' to the leader who prioritized the welfare of the people. The broad environs and river basin of the Narmada River, as well as the massive Sardar Sarovar dam, are seen from the Statue of Unity. It is located on the Sadhu Bet hilltop and is reached by a 300-meter bridge that connects the mainland to the Statue.
The state government had urged Indian farmers to contribute their used farming equipment as part of a project outreach drive to collect iron for the Sardar Patel statue. It is estimated that around 5000 tonnes of iron would be recovered in total. Inside the monument is an in-house museum with details on the building and the commander's history.
The people of India will be eternally grateful for his leadership throughout the liberation struggle and his vision, knowledge, and statesmanship in the post-independence age. Moreover, his life serves as an inspiration to current and future generations, and it is in this context that his famous gigantic Statue - the world's most giant Statue of Unity – was dedicated to the nation on the 143rd anniversary of his birth.
The Statue of Unity, which represents national, spiritual, historical, and academic values, will contribute to the icon-based development of this primarily tribal territory. Our goal is to develop infrastructure for edutainment, research, cultural enrichment, environmental enrichment, and health promotion in order to make this a world-class tourist destination. Even when he is not physically present, a good leader continues to enlighten humanity's path, and the Statue of Unity is the embodiment of this — worth seeing."
The monument pays homage to India's first Deputy Prime Minister and helps to encourage tourism in Gujarat. The "Iron Man of India," regarded as the creator of modern India, is commemorated by the world's most giant gigantic effigy and has set multiple records among similar monuments.
The Statue of Unity is a meticulously crafted work of art that employs cutting-edge technology. Notably, the effigy of the character faithfully imitates the legend's postures, expressions, and poses. The homage equally justifies the confidence, dignity, kindness, and strong will due to his remarkable efforts.
The 'Statue of Unity,' which is open to the public, features a multitude of attractions within in addition to the magnificent outside structure. The Statue is a multi-level building that is divided into five zones, only three of which are open to the public.
Each of the sculptures' legs has two elevators that can transport up to 26 people at once. An exhibition area is included in the base as well as the shins area. A memorial garden and a museum are located further up. Another level can be found at 149 meters above sea level. A viewing gallery that can accommodate up to 200 people is situated between 153 m (502 ft) and 159 m. The other groups are not open to the public and are only accessible for maintenance purposes.
Sardar Patel's exemplary life and services are highlighted in the museum. The audio-visual gallery in the adjacent room offers a 15-minute presentation. There is also information regarding Gujarat's indigenous culture.
Main Differences Between Statue of Liberty and Statue of Unity in Points
- The Statue of Liberty was built to promote freedom and democracy, whereas the Statue of Unity commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's achievements.
- The Statue of Liberty was dedicated by the President of the United States on October 28, 1886. On the other side, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Statue of Unity on October 31, 2018.
- The Statue of Unity stands 182 meters tall beside the River Narmada at the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat, while the Statue of Liberty stands 93 meters tall on Liberty Island in New York Harbor.
- The Indian monument contains reinforcement steel, structural steel, and bronze, whereas the American Statue has an iron inner construction and a copper exterior. The Liberty cost around $100,000 to build and was funded by a crowd-funding campaign led by newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer. And it cost INR 2,989 crore ($403.9 million) to construct The Unity!
Conclusion
Both the Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Unity have distinct specifications and are exceptional in their own right. The Statue of Liberty symbolizes Liberty, whereas the Statue of Unity was built to honor Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Sardar Patel, known as the "Iron Man of India," is honored with the Statue of Unity, which is twice as tall as New York's Statue of Liberty. In Gujarat, the memorial lies near the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River. In many aspects, the Statue is one-of-a-kind. It is not only the world's tallest Statue, but it is also among the iconic statues that were created in the shortest amount of time. The 182-meter-tall statue of Unity was erected in approximately 33 months, compared to the Statue of Liberty, which was completed in almost ten years.
The Statue of Liberty, which stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, was dedicated on October 18, 1886. It was supposed to be a symbol of liberty and democracy. Despite the fact that the Statue was co-funded using French and American funds, it is regarded to be a gift from France to the people of the United States.
