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Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity is a monumental statue of Indian statesman Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat, India.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Statue of Unity is a monumental statue of Indian statesman Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat, India. It is widely described as the world’s tallest statue, standing 182 metres tall, and was inaugurated in 2018.

History

The statue was conceived as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and was inaugurated on 31 October 2018. Reports describe its construction as taking about 33 months, with completion in mid-October 2018 before the inauguration.

Design and construction

The statue was designed by sculptor Ram V. Sutar and built by Larsen & Toubro. Sources describe its structure as a steel frame reinforced with concrete and finished with brass coating and bronze cladding.

Location

The monument stands on Sadhu Bet island in the Narmada River in Gujarat, near Kevadia/Ekta Nagar and close to the Sardar Sarovar Dam. It is commonly described as being southeast of Vadodara.

Recognition

The Statue of Unity is widely identified as the tallest statue in the world. Sources also note that its total height including the base is higher than the statue alone.

Key facts

  • The Statue of Unity is located on Sadhu Bet island in the Narmada River near Kevadia/Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, India.
  • It stands 182 metres tall, excluding the base, and is widely described as the world's tallest statue.
  • The statue commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a leader of the Indian independence movement and India's first deputy prime minister.
  • Larsen & Toubro built the statue under contract for its design, construction, and maintenance; construction took about 33 months and was completed in 2018.
  • The project cost is commonly reported as ₹2,989 crore, with some sources giving an approximate US dollar equivalent of US$420 million.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Statue of Unity located?
It is on Sadhu Bet island in the Narmada River near Kevadia/Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, India.
How tall is the Statue of Unity?
The statue is 182 metres (597 feet) tall, excluding the base.
Who built the Statue of Unity?
Larsen & Toubro built the statue; it was designed by sculptor Ram V. Sutar.
What is the Statue of Unity made of?
Sources describe it as having a steel frame reinforced with concrete, with brass coating and bronze cladding.
When was the Statue of Unity completed?
It was completed in 2018, with construction reported as finishing in mid-October 2018 before its inauguration on 31 October 2018.
How much did the Statue of Unity cost?
The project cost is commonly reported as ₹2,989 crore, or about US$420 million.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Unity
    Supports: Height, location, and materials.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Statue-of-Unity
    Supports: Location, height, and subject.
  3. Government of Gujarat, District Narmada — https://narmada.nic.in/tourist-place/statue-of-unity-kevadia/
    Supports: Height, location, and inauguration context.
  4. Atlas Obscura — https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/statue-of-unity
    Supports: Height, location, and approximate cost.
  5. Indian Cultural Centre of Canada, Ottawa — https://icccottawa.org/sardar-vallabhai-patel-statue-of-unity/
    Supports: Builder, designer, contract value, and completion timing.