COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
INTRODUCTION
ARCHITECTURE AN EMBLEM OF POWER, DESIGNED TO ENDORSE THE PATRON. NUMEROUS OUTSIDERS INVADED INDIA AND CREATED ARCHITECTURAL STYLES REFLECTIVE OF THEIR ANCESTRAL AND ADOPTED HOMES. THE EUROPEAN COLONIZERS CREATED ARCHITECTURE THAT SYMBOLIZED THEIR MISSION OF CONQUEST, DEDICATED TO THE STATE OR RELIGION .
THE BRITISH, FRENCH, DUTCH AND THE PORTUGUESE WERE THE MAIN POWERS THAT COLONIZED INDIA. BRITISH COLONIAL ERA: 1615 TO 1947 THE BRITISH ARRIVAL IN 1615 OVERTHREW THE MUGHAL EMPIRE. BRITAIN REIGNED INDIA FOR OVER THREE HUNDRED YEARS AND THEIR LEGACY STILL REMAINS THROUGH BUILDING AND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT POPULATE THEIR FORMER COLONIES .
THE MAJOR CITIES COLONIZED DURING THIS PERIOD WERE MADRAS, CALCUTTA, BOMBAY, DELHI AGRA, BANKIPOR, KARACHI, NAGPUR , BHOPAL AND HYDERABAD
THE INITIAL STRUCTURES WERE UTILITARIAN WAREHOUSES AND WALLED TRADING POSTS, GIVING WAY TO FORTIFIED TOWNS ALONG THE COASTLINE.
A DEEPER CONCERN WITH ARCHITECTURE WAS EXHIBITED IN CHURCHES AND OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
BUILDINGS WERE BUILT MOSTLY OF BRICK AND STUCCOED WITH LIME OR CHUNAM, SOMETIMES "FACADES" INCISED TO LOOK LIKE STONES.
CHURCHES, WHICH WERE SYMBOLS OF COLONIALISM, WERE BUILT IN GREAT STYLE. NEW MATERIALS LIKE CONCRETE, GLASS, WROUGHT AND CAST IRON OPENED UP NEW ARCHITECTURAL POSSIBILITIES.
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS OF HINDU AND MUGHAL WITH GOTHIC CUSPED ARCHES, DOMES, SPIRES, TRACERY, MINARETS AND STAINED GLASS.
THE INDO-SARACENIC STYLE WAS INDIAN ON THE OUTSIDE AND BRITISH INSIDE SINCE THE FACADE WAS BUILT WITH AN INDIAN TOUCH.
NEW DELHI
NEW DELHI WAS BUILT BETWEEN 1912 AND 1929 ON A
SITE ADJACENT TO DELHI, OR OLD DELHI, WHICH HAD
BEEN CHOSEN TO REPLACE CALCUTTA AS THE CAPITAL
OF INDIA IN 1911.
NEW DELHI WAS INAUGURATED AS THE NEW CAPITAL
IN 1931.
NEW DELHI WAS BUILT TO CONVEY THE IDEA OF
PEACEFUL DOMINATION AND DIGNIFIED RULE OVER THE
TRADITIONS AND LIFE OF INDIA BY BRITISH RAJ.
DELHI WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE OF ITS CENTRAL LOCATION
,HEALTHY CLIMATE AND EASE OF ACCESS BY THE
BRITISHERS.
THE THEN PRESIDENT OF RIBA RECCOMANDED SIR
EDWIN LUTYENS AS THE ARCHITECT TO PLAN THE CITY.
AS THE RESULT, IT WAS A CLASSICAL REVIVAL CAPITAL
COMPLEX ON A CITY BEAUTIFUL PLAN WITH GARDEN
CITY
NEW DELHI PLANNING ASPECTS MUCH INFLUENCED BY LUTYENS THE PLANNING OF NEW DELHI TO
WALTERS BURLEY’S AWARDWINNING SCHEME FOR CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA’S NEW CAPITAL. ITS PLANNIG IS BASED ON TWO CROSSING AXIS :~ :- EAST-WEST RUNNING KING”S WAY NOW KNOWN AS RAJPATH :- NORTH SOUTH RUNNING QUEEN”S WAY NOW KNOWN AS JANPATH THERE ARE RADIATING AXIS ONE OF WHICH LINKS THE COUNCIL HOUSE TO CONNAUGHT PLACE TO OLD DELHI AT ONE END OF RAJPATH IS THE VICEROY HOUSE NOW KNOWN AS RASHTRAPATH BHAWAN AND ADJACENT TO IT ON EITHER SIDE IS THE SECRETARIOT ROADS ARE RADIATING OUT FORMING HEXAGONAL NETWORKING THE CITY IN ITS FINAL FORM WAS ROUGHLY HEXAGONAL IN SHAPE AND FOCUSED ON THREE CLIMACTIC POINTS NAMELY THE VICEROY HOUSE,CONNAUGHT PLACE AND FINALLY THE INDIA GATE.
THE KING OF ENGLAND WAS IN FAVOUR OF MUGHAL STYLE ARCHITECTURE FOR THE NEW CITY; BUT LUTYENS EMPHASISED ON EUROPEAN STYLE EVENTUALLY LUTYENS CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT WHAT WAS NEEDED WAS A SYNTHESIS OF EASTERN AND WESTERN STYLE AND THIS WAS KNOWN AS INDO-SARCENIC STYLE WHICH COMBINED THE ELEMENTS FROM THE HINDU, MUSLIM AND BHUDHIST ARCHITECTURE; THE EXTERIOR DOME OF VICEROY’S BUILDING IS TAKEN FROM SANCHI STUPA PREDOMINANTLY AN ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER, THE CITY ALSO HAS TEXTILE MILLS,PRINTING AND SMALL MANUFATURING ESTABLISHMENTS. THE FIRST STRUCTURE TO BE BUILT WAS THE VICEROY’S HOUSE, NOW CALLED RASHTRAPATHI BHAWAN AROUND WHICH THE WHOLE CITY WAS ENVISAGED
THIS PALATIAL BUILDING, CONTAINING 340 ROOMS, IS BUILT ON AN AREA OF SOME 330 ACRES (1.3 KM²) AND INCORPORATES A PRIVATE GARDEN ALSO DESIGNED BY LUTYENS. THE BUILDING WAS DESIGNED AS THE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE VICEROY OF INDIA AND IS NOW THE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE FIRST CITIZEN OF INDIA – ITS PRESIDENT. THE COLUMNS AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE OF THE PALACE HAVE BELLS CARVED INTO THEM WHICH LUTYENS HAD DESIGNED WITH THE IDEA THAT AS THE BELLS WERE NEVER SILENT THE BRITISH RULE WOULD NEVER COME TO AN END. AT ONE TIME, MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE WERE REQUIRED TO LOOK AFTER THE BUILDING AND SERVE THE VICEROY'S HOUSEHOLD. ALL INDIA WAR MEMORIAL ARCH ALSO KNOWN AS INDIA GATE AND THE KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL WERE DESIGNED BY LUTYENS;WHILE BAKER DESIGNED THE COUNCIL HOUSE NOW KNOWN AS PARLIAMENT HOUSE ALONG WITH NORTH AND SOUTH BLOCKS
LUTYEN’S CONCEPTUAL SKETCHES
PLANNING ELEMENTS: THE MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OTHER THAN THE CAPITAL COMPLES IN NEW DELHI IS CONNAUGHT PLACE DESIGNED BY W.H.NICHOLES AND RUSSEL THE COMPOSITION CONSISTS OF TWO CONCENTRIC RINGS OF RETAIL AND OTHER COMMERCIAL FACILITIES. THE STREETS OF THE COMMERCIAL CENTER,NORTH EAST OF THE PALACE ARE LAID OUT IN A RADIAL PATTERN. THE CLASSICAL BUILDINGS BY RUSSEL FORM THE COGNITIVE CENTER OF THE COMMERCIAL AREA OF THE CITY WHICH REPRESENTS THE IMPERIAL RULE. IT WAS PERCIEVED TO BE A COUNTERPART TO CHANDNI CHOWK THE COMMERCIAL CENTER OF OLD DELHI. LUYTENS WORK IN DELHI HAS AN IMPACT ON MANY INCIPIENT DESIGN SCHEMES UNTIL TODAY OFFICES OF THE BRITISH RESIDENT, THE NORTH AND SOUTH BLOCKS FLANKING THE SIDE OF THE RASHTRAPATHI BHAWAN MELTED INTO THE BUILDING THAT HOUSED THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION
LUTYENS PLANS WERE BASED ON EUROPEAN THEMES, IT USED ELEMENTS FROM MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE: CHAJJAS, JALIS AND CHATTRIS AS STYLISTIC DEVICES AND PROTECTION AGAINST HARSH CLIMATE
HIS MATERIALS ARE DELHI’S SANDSONE, HIS ATTITUDES WERE MUGHAL,AND ENTIRE SCHEME IS BRITISH
THE RAJ PATH A WIDE BOULEVARD BODERED BY TREES AND CANALS,RUNS EAST FROM THE PALACE TO A WAR MEMEORIAL ARCH.
THE IDEA FOR THE GARDENS IN FRONT OF RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN AND OTHER PLACES WAS BORROWED FROM MUGHALS IN KASHMIR,PINJOR AND FATEPUR SIKRI.
LUTYENS CONTRIBUTION DID NOT STOP AT THE BUILDING’S HE DESIGNED. HE ALSO LAID OUT A STREET PLAN FOR NEW DELHI OF WIDE, TREE-LINED AVENUES.
ALL THE BUNGLOWS ARE BUILT IN LARGE GARDEN PLOTS, AND WIDE AREAS OF
PARK LIE BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE BUILDINGS, MAKING IT ONE OF THE GREENEST CITIES OF INDIA.
HE INVENTED HIS OWN ORDER OF CLASSICAL COLUMNS, KNOWN AS DELHI ORDER.
LUTYENS IMAGINED THE INDIAN TRADERS WOULD PARTICIPATE IN "THE GRAND SHOPPING CENTRE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SHAHJAHANABAD AND NEW
DELHI", THUS GIVING RISE TO THE PRESENT D-SHAPED MARKET WE SEE TODAY.
AS THE SECOND WORLD WAR BEGAN, THE COSTLY MOVEMENT OF OFFICERS TO SHIMLA DURING SUMMERS, CAME TO AN END.THIS PROMOTED FURTHER BUILDING ACTIVITIES
VICEROY’S HOUSE Rashtrapati Bhavan (Sanskrit for ‘President House / Presidential Palace') is the official residence of the President of India, located in New Delhi, Delhi, India. Until 1950 it was known as "Viceroy's House" and served as the residence of the Governor-General of India. It is at the heart of an area known as Lutyens' Delhi. . The Rashtrapati Bhavan was designed by Edwin Lutyens and built in 1931, to be the central point of the British power in Delhi. . The Rashtrapati Bhavan has 340 rooms, 37 salons, 74 lobbies and loggias, 18 staircases and 37 fountains in New Delhi.
AERIAL VIEW
EAST SIDE VIEW(FRONT VIEW)
DESIGN
The original plans of the viceroy’s house is a mixture of western and eastern styles.
Various Indian designs were added to the building.
There was also a traditional Indian chujja, which extended 8 feet (2.4m) from the building, and created deep shadows, It stopped harsh sunlight from getting to the windows, and also stopped rain during monsoon season.
On the roofline there were several chuttris, which helped to break up the look of the flat part of the roofline not covered by the dome.
The length of each of its two main fronts was about 600 ft; the top of the dome was 180ft from the ground; the whole house covered four and a half acres and enclosed 12 courtyards.
There were grilles made from red sandstone, called jalis or jaalis. These jalis were inspired by Indian design. The front of the palace, on the east side, has twelve unevenly spaced columns with the Delhi order capitals. These capitals have a fusion of acanthus leaves with the four pendant Indian bells. One bell is on each corner at the top of the column. It was said that as the bells were silent British rule in India would not end. The front of the palace does not have windows, except for the wings at the sides.
After Indian independence , ceremonial governor-general continued to live there, when India became a republic and the house was renamed "Rashtrapati Bhavan.“ The dome, though claimed by Lutyens to be inspired by the Pantheon of Rome, is primarily derived from the Sanchi Stupa. It has 340 decorated rooms and a floor area of 200,000 square feet (19,000 m²). The structures includes 700 million bricks and 3 million cubic feet (85,000 m³) of stone, with only minimal usage of steel.for strong colour,he used blood red Dholpur sandstone & contrast it with cream coloured Dholpur stone.
PLAN
LAYOUT The layout of the palace is designed around a massive square, although there are many courtyards and open inner areas. There are separate wings for the Viceroy, and another wing for guests. The Viceroy’s wing is a separate four-storey house in itself, with its own court areas within. At the centre of the main part of the palace, underneath the main dome, is Durbar’s Hall, which was known as the Throne Room during British rule when it had thrones for the Viceroy and his wife. The interior of this room and almost all the rooms of the palace are bare. In the hall, the columns are made in ‘Delhi’ order which combines vertical lines with the motif of a bell. The hall has a 2-ton chandelier which hangs from a 33-metre height.
On each of the four corners of the hall is a room, including two state drawing rooms, a state supper room and the state library. There are also other rooms such
as many loggias (galleries with open air on one side) which face out into the courtyards, a large dining hall with an extremely long table, sitting rooms. Water features are also through the palace, such as near the Viceroy’s stairs, which has eight marble lions spilling water into six basins. The lions symbolise Britain, as the lion was often used for this purpose.
DOME
The dome in the middle involved a mixture
of Indian and British styles. In the centre was a tall copper dome surmounted on top of a drum, which stands out from the rest of the building, due to its height.
The dome is exactly in the middle of the
diagonals between the four corners of the building.
The dome is more than twice the height
of the rest of the building. The dome combines classical and Indian styles. Lutyens said the design evolved from that of the Pantheon in Rome, while it is also possible that it was modelled after the great Stupa at Sanchi.
A porch goes around the dome with evenly spaced columns which support the dome.
GATEWAY OF INDIA 1. 2.
3.
4.
THE GATEWAY OF INDIA, IS THE MOST POPULAR MONUMENT OF MUMBAI. LOCATED ON THE WATERFRONT, IT IS THE STARTING POINT FOR MOST OF THE TOURISTS WHO EXPLORE THE CITY. THE GATEWAY IS THE FIRST THING THAT THE VISITORS WOULD SEE, WHO COME TO MUMBAI BY BOATS. THE GOVERNER OF BOMBAY LAID THE FOUNDATIONSTONE ON MARCH 31,1911
1.THE TOTAL COST ON BUILDING IS ABOUT 21 LAKHS. 2. THE GATEWAY OF INDIA IS COUPLED WITH FOUR TURRETS. 3. THERE ARE BEAUTIFUL AND COMPLEX LATTICEWORK CARVED ON STONES. 4.THE GATEWAY IS A HUGE STONE ARCH OF TRIUMPH ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED TO COMMEMORATES THE FIRST-EVER VISIT OF A BRITISH MONARCH TO INDIA.
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6. DUE TO SCARCITY OF FUNDS, THE APPROACH ROAD WAS NEVER BUILT AND THE GATEWAY NOW STANDS AT AN ANGLE TO THE ROAD LEADING UP TO IT. 7. TO KEEP THE GATEWAY IN LINE WITH THE DESIGNED PROMENADE, WHICH WOULD SWEEP DOWN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN, THE WHOLE SEAPORT FRONT WAS REALIGNED. 8.THE ARCH ARE THE STEPS LEADING DOWN TO THE WATER. 9.THE CENTRAL DOME OF THE GATEWAY IS 48 FT IN DIAMETER AND RISES 83 FT ABOVE THE GROUND AT ITS HIGHEST POINT.
ARCHITECTURE Of GATEWAy Of INDIA
THE 26 METRES HIGH ARCHWAY IS MADE OF YELLOW BASALT AND REINFORCED CONCRETE. THE ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS ARE DERIVED THE 16TH CENTURY MUSLIMS ARHCHITECTURAL STYLES. THE CENTRAL DOME IS 15 METRES IS DIAMETER, WHILE THE HIGHEST POINT IS 26 METRE HIGH. THE MONUMENT HAS FOUR TURETS, DECORATED WITH DELICATE LATTICE WORK. THE MONUMENT HAS THE STATUES OF INDIAN PHILOSOPHER SWAMI VIVEKANANDA AND THE MARATHA LEADER CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ. THE SEAPORT LOCATED ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE GATEWAY, OFFER THE BOAT RIDING. THE TOURIST CAN ENJOY THE BOAT TRIPS BY PAYING A REASONABLE CHARGE. THE FIVE STAR HOTEL TAJ IS SITUATED NEAR THE GATEWAY OF INDIA.
BETWEEN 1915 AND 1919 WORK PROCEEDED ON RECLAMATIONS AT APOLLO PIER FOR THE LAND ON WHICH THEGATEWAY OF INDIA AND THE NEW SEA WALL WOULD BE BUILT.
6. THE FOUNDATIONS WERE COMPLETED IN 1920. 7.IT IS BUILT FROM YELLOW KHARODI BASALT AND REINFORCED CONCRETE. 8. THE CENTRAL DOME IS 48 FEET IN DIAMETER AND 83 FEET ABOVE GROUND AT ITS HIGHEST POINT.
9. THE CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED IN 1924, AND THE GATEWAY WAS OPENED ON DECEMBER 4, 1924 BY THE VICEROY. 10. GATEWAY OF INDIA CONSTRUCTION WAS DONE BY J C GAMMON (BOMBAY) PVT LTD WHICH IS THE ONLY ISO 9001: 1994 CERTIFIED COMPANY.
INDIA GATE
INDIA GATE
The India Gate is one of the largest war memorials in India situated in the heart of New Delhi.
India Gate is prominent landmark in Delhi and commemorates the members of the erstwhile British Indian Army who lost their lives fighting for the Indian Empire in World War I and the Afghan Wars.
Following India's independence, India Gate became the site of Indian Army's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, known as the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
ď śThe national capital of India boasts of several historical monuments. Delhi is a beautiful city with a rich history of thousand years. ď ś One of the most renowned landmarks of the city is India Gate. One must have seen it during a travel visit to Delhi or in several movies. Situated in the heart of the city, it is located on Rajpath.
ď śThe history of India Gate goes back to 20th century. There is a story behind establishment of this important landmark. ď ś It was made to commemorate the soldiers of the erstwhile British Indian Army, who had lost their lives while fighting in World War I and the Afghan Wars. The original name of the landmark was the All India War Memorial.
ď śIndia Gate was designed by Edwin Lutyens who was also the chief architect of New Delhi. On 10th February 1921, the Duke of Connaught laid the foundation of the monument. ď śThe construction work came to an end in 1931 after 10 years of work. If you see properly, you will find names of Indian soldiers inscribed on the walls of India Gate. These soldiers had sacrificed their lives in World War I and the Afghan Wars.
ď śIndia Gate has a total height of 42 meters. It houses Amar Jawan Jyoti that was unveiled on January 26, 1972. ď śThe flame of jyoti burns all the time in respect of soldiers who sacrficied their lives during Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971. The Gate also serves as venue of Republic Parade every year.
ď śThe first place which pops into any Indians mind while remembering the sacrifice of brave soldiers of India, is the place called India gate. The place in the capital of India. The relation of sacrifice and India gate is very close. ď ś India Gate is constructed as a memorial for the memory 90,000 soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I and second Afghan war in 1919.
Amar Jawan Jyoti
:
ď śBurning in a shrine under the India Gate arch since 1971 is the Amar Jawan Jyoti which means the flame of the immortal soldiers. This marks the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. ď śThe shrine is made of a black marble cenotaph with a soldier's rifle placed on its barrel, crested by a soldier's helmet
Each face of the cenotaph has inscribed in gold which says the words "Amar Jawan" which means the Immortal Warrior. This cenotaph is itself placed on one edifice which has four torches on its four corners that are perpetually kept alive. Just at the rear of Amar Jawan Jyoti, the flags of Indian armed forces stand tall. Today, it is customary for the President, the Prime Minister as well as visiting Guests of State; to pay homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti on occasions of State ceremonies. On each Republic Day i.e. 26 January, before joining the annual parade at Rajpath the Prime Minister of Union of India pays homage to the soldiers along with Heads of all Armed Forces i.e. Navy, Army and Air force.
Raj Path ď śRaj path i.e. the royal way on which the India gate is present is the way which connects india gate to Rashtrapati Bhavan. ď śRashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of President of India. It was the Viceroy of India's residence before India got its independence from Great Britain.
3D MAPPING ON INDIA GATE
Model of
Main entrance gate
About Raj Bhawan Raj Bhawan is the residence of the Governor of WestBengal. It is located in the Dalhousie area of Kolkata and this edifice was completed on January 18, 1803. Since Bengal was the capital of the British Raj earlier in its days in India, this was the Government House and the residence of the Indian Governor Generals of India till the year 1912.
Raj Bhawan Covered area The Raj Bhavan covers an area of 84,000 sq. ft. and is surrounded by a compound covering an area of 27 acres.[6] The Raj Bhavan has 6 gate ways one each on North & South and 2 each on East & West. The 4 gates on the East & West have a grand arch ways topped with a lion. The minor archways on the side are topped with Sphinx. Sadly these 4 colossal gates hardly provide a good view of the Raj Bhavan.
Construction of Raj Bhawan
The Raj Bhawan was built by the Marquis of Wellesley, Governor General of India, under the East India Company. He stared the work in 1799 and completed in 1803. On the day of inauguration, 800 invitees came to witness the grand ceremony.
ď śThe Court of Directors of East India Company, London, disapproved his venture which was to cost sicca rupees 5,06,326 or 63,291 pounds ď ś In fact East India Company not only dismissed him but wanted to persuade the Parliament to impeach him, which did not happen.
They differ also in completeness ofconstruction, only two of the projecting wings having been finished at Kedleston, whereasGovernment House has all four Government House also has a semi-circular projecting portico and colonnade on the South front which kedleston lacks Another point ofdissimilarity is that the curved corridors at Government House . are two story’s high and so their roofline is level with that of the wings and of the main building, whereas at Kedleston the corridors are only one storey high so that the wings stand up higher than the curving corridorswhich join them to the central pile In the interior, Government House differs from Kedleston in that above the Marble Hall at .Government House is a Ball Room, whereas at Kedleston the Marble Hall is carried right up to theroof and is lit by skylights. Also there is a grand central internal staircase at Kedleston whereas atGovernment House there are four comparatively small staircases at the four angles of the centralpile which are very much better suited for the arrangements which have to be made for the comingand going of public entrée and private entrée guests at large functions.
Residential Suites
ď śThe residential portion is divided into four suites. The Prince of Wales Suite in the northwest wing of the first floor is where the President, Vice-President and the Prime Minister of India and head of state of other nations reside when visiting the state of West Bengal. ď ś The Wellesley Suite is located on the second floor in the north-eastern wing, the Dufferin Suite is on the second floor of north-west wing, and the fourth suite is the Anderson Suite.
Interior ď śThe three storied Raj Bhavan building with a huge central area consisting of large halls has curved corridors on all four sides radiating to detached wings, each constituting a house in itself. ď śThere are about 60[5] rooms in Raj Bhavan, beside public halls, verandahs, porticos, banquets & halls and the sumptuous Throne room.
Prince of Wales Suite This suite is located in the North-West wing of the first floor of the building. It is named after Prince Edward of Wales who visited Calcutta in December 1921. This suite is reserved for the accommodation of the President, the Vice-President and the Prime Minister of India when they are on tour to the State. It has three bedrooms, a sitting room and a dining room. The bedroom has shades of navy blue and pale
Plan
The plan comprises a central core with four radiating wings. The state rooms located in the central core are accessed from the outside by a flight of grand steps on the north. On the south is another portico surmounted by a colonnaded verandah with a dome above. The four wings accommodate the various offices and residential quarters along with four sets of staircases. The plan of the wings allows for a great deal of natural ventilation in the spaces while also permitting views across the gardens. The entire compound is surrounded by a balustrated wall with a grand arched gateways.
ď śThe best view of the Raj Bhavan is obtained from the North Gate, which also serves as the main gate. ď śA long walk past a decorated Chinese cannon leads to a flight of stairs to the portico crowned with the triangular pediment supported by six ionic pillars.
VIEW FROM NORTH GATE
ď śThe South gate also provides a grand view, with the tree lined drive leading on to the lofty ionic pillars supporting the huge metallic dome. ď ś Entry inside the complex is strictly prohibited but photography is allowed from outside the gates with permission of the officer in charge at the gate.
View from south gate
How many floors in the building?? The residential suites are in the four corners of the second floor and the Prince of Wales suite on the first floor North West. In the ground floor the central area is called the Marble Hall. The first floor central area consists of the Throne Room, Banquet Hall and the Breakfast Room. On the first floor, North East corner has the Council Chamber, in which major Government decisions were made during the British rule. Opposite to it on the North West corner, the Prince of Wales suite is located which till now was used as the VIP suite. The second floor has the residential suites including the Governor's private quarters and the Ball Room. There are quarters of the Raj Bhavan employees outside the North Gate.
A garden in front of the Raj Bhavan bears a cannon which is set on a dragon frame. It was hailed from Nan King. There are a few more cannons. The Indian Governor Generals used to dwell in this building till 1912. At present, the Governor of West Bengal stays in this palatial 'Bhavan'.
Collection It houses a rare collection of antiques, including Tipu Sultan's throne, which was later confiscated by George V, and the glittering chandeliers in the ballroom.
The first ever elevator of Kolkata (Calcutta) can still be seen ascending graciously. The throne of Tipu Sultan was also exhibited here.Visitors are not allowed to enter the compound.
Drawing & Dinning Rooms Yellow Drawing Room: Located on the first floor of the Raj Bhavan, the beautiful drawing room has some wonderful paintings. Blue Drawing Room: A elegantly furnished room used by the governor to meet guest. Brown Dining Room: Adjacent to the Blue Dining room it is used for small conferences and meetings.[6]
marbal hall in raj bhavan
MARBLE HALL In the ground floor of the Raj Bhavan there is the magnificent Marble Hall consisting of a central hall with extensions to the north and southern sides. This hall is used for occasional public functions attended by the Governor. A fabric block printing depicting an Indian scene and a Kalamkari fabric print of Ramayana era adorn the central hall. In the Northern side of the Marble Hall there are 12 marble busts of Ceasers of the Roman Empire from B.C. 48 to A.D. 98. These were added by Lord Curzon sometime in 1900. On
Interior ď śThe three storied Raj Bhavan building with a huge central area consisting of large halls has curved corridors on all four sides radiating to detached wings, each constituting a house in itself. ď ś There are about 60[5] rooms in Raj Bhavan, beside public halls, verandahs, porticos, banquets & halls and the sumptuous Throne room.
Climate: Summers: 380C (Maximum), 190C (Minimum) Winters: 220C (Maximum), 90C (Minimum)
THE One of the first things GUNS that attracts the attention of the
visitors to Raj Bhavan, coming in through the North Gate is the huge iron gun set up on a plinth in front of the Grand Staircase. This gun is mounted on a winged dragon with red glass eyes and tremendous scaled convolutions of the tail ending in a forked point. Around the plinth are ten iron guns with embossed Chinese inscription planted upright in the ground. These guns were taken from the Chinese, in commemoration of the peace dictated under the walls of Nankin by the Naval and Military forces of England and India
Banquet Hall
BANQUET HALL The Banquet Hall consists of a central nave separated by pillars from side aisles on the model of a Roman atrium. Fully carpeted, it has a gilded, coffered ceiling, gold leaf work on pillars, niches and pelmets, and is lit by lustrous chandeliers and has been the State Dining Room. The Banquet Hall is used to host State banquets in honour of visiting heads of foreign countries and other high dignitaries. The Pantry is located in the adjoining room.
BROWN DINING ROOM
BROWN DINING ROOM
The Breakfast Room is on the first floor, now described as the Brown Dining Room. Two Balluchari woven fabrics by Kunj Behari Diyasi of Bishnupur and two fabric prints by Bridget Singh of Amber adorn the walls. This room which has a wooden floor, walls and ceiling, is also used for hosting smaller dinners and lunches. The adjoining room is called the Blue Drawing Room, where the Governor meets invitees/guests before dinner. The Hall also features some beautiful pieces of art which includes an original oil painting of Jang Bahadur of Nepal and a collage of Dokra metallic works, the creation of master
Throne Room
THRONE ROOM The Throne Room, so called because Princes were received here, addresses presented and durbars held in the Raj era with its crimson velvet draperies and canopy. Situated in it is a silver throne with lion arms, said to have belonged to Warren Hastings. The throne is flanked by a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi by Rashamoy Bhattacharyya, set in an antique polished wood frame, and a portrait of Subhash Chandra Bose by Atul Bose. To the right is a low gilded stool of oriental pattern, said to be Tipu Sultan's seat, used on elephant back or lifted on staves, because of large brass rings fixed to the base. The huge walls have life-size oil painting of Indira Gandhi by Bikash Bhattacharya and oil paintings of Pandit Nehru and Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy by Ashesh Mitra. An item of historical importance is the Urn which earlier contained the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi that was taken by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the then
Council Room
council chamber ď śThe Governor General used the Council Chamber to preside over the executive and later the Legislative Council. ď ś Now it is used by the governor to hold large meetings. A small dining room known as the Bharat Ratna Room and a billiard room is located just outside the Council Chamber.
British-Era Carriage used by the Viceroy