VIJAY CHOWK (NORTH & SOUTH BLOCK)

RAHTRAPATI BHAWAN - FORECOURT

FRONT FACE OF RASHTRAPAI BHAWAN

Government of India employed Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker to plan and architect New Delhi. During construction, at the time of
mutiny, Sir Edwin Lutyens was asked to use Indian Elements . He was familiar to the European past, he studied the Indian Past- Hindu,
Islamic and Buddhist Architecture. He borrowed themes from both to create a fusion, similar to Beethoven and Shakespeare to create a
novel work of art. He has fused well enough, the royalty , grandeur and ornamentation of Asia along with solid and intellectual European
Design.
Designing of the city began with the Design of the Central Vista (Kigngsway/Rajpath ROW 250m) which connected Viceroys
House(Rashtrapati Bhawan) and All India War Memorial (now India Gate). The Rashtrapati Bhawan was planned on top of the Raisana Hill
keeping in mind Mughal Architecture, where places of power were built on higher levels (higher plinth). Also it would give a clear view of
River Yamuna. Secretariat buildings were built opposite to each other on the hill top. India Gate pointed out to Shahjehanad (most recent
city of Dilli) and Indraprastha (Ancient city of Dilli).

North and South Blocks are built in Cream and Red Sandstone, with red forming the base while cream following principal floors.
The buildings are arranged in the form of two squares with a cut out of a common courtyard forming the main entrance along with
features of pillared walkways, arches and Renaissance-like domes. Elevations are punctuated by short projecting wings, balconies
and jaali work leading to play of light and Shadow.

These buildings together make up a composite whole and cannot fail to raise the spirits of those who pass by, to reach the
Rashtrapati Bhawan. This two storeyed building consists of a great dome in the centre. Below it, sits the vast mass of one of the
biggest residential buildings of the world. The building is articulated with long colonnades. The ground floor, approached through a
wide staircase is only interrupted with a few arched openings and square windows. The interior has a total of 340 rooms and the
royal Mughal Gardens, based on Charbagh Concept at the back. The garden fountains, pools, severely trimmed trees, stone
pergolas, floral beds and lush green lawns.

The Parliament House is a circular, Colosseum like building with a pillared veranda forming a ring around it. Partly finished with
plaster and paint along with stone, the building is currently used to carry out Government Proceedings and Assemblies.

RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN VISIT

01

SHUBHAANG
GOELA
THIRD YEAR (SEC
B)ROLL NUMBER 10

VASTUKALA
ACADEMY

The Mughal Gardens

are situated at the back
of
the
Rashtrapati
Bhavan,
uses
both
Mughal
and
English
landscaping styles and
feature a great variety
of flowers.
The Ashoka Hall is a rectangle
measuring 32 metres by 20
metres. It was originally built as
the State Ballroom. It has a
wooden floor ,a central dance
space, and three vestibules.
Ashoka Hall has a Persian Style
painted ceiling.

There exists a chair for the President, 450

chairs for spectators & Statue of Gautam
Buddha belonging to Gupta period. Used for
State functions conferring of National Awards.

State Dinning Hall, now known as Banquet

Hall. Can seat 104 persons. Portraits of all
former Presidents embellish its walls. An
assortment of medieval arms on display.

North Drawing Room for

receiving visiting Heads of
State.

This vast mansion has got four floors and 340 rooms. With a floor area of 200, 000
square feet.
The most prominent and distinguishing aspect of Rashtrapati Bhavan is its dome
which is superimposed on its structure. It is visible from a distance and the most eyecatching round roof with a circular base in the heart of Delhi. While Lutyens
ostensibly acknowledged the design of the dome to the pantheon of the Rome, it is
very strongly believed by informed analysts that the dome was structured in the
pattern of the great Stupa at Sanchi.
The pre-dominance of Indian architecture in the dome is evident from the fact that it
is encircled by railings of Sanchi origin. In fact the whole of Rashtrapati Bhavan
embodies in it Indian architectural patterns such as Buddhist railings, chhajjas,
chhatris and jaalis.

RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN VISIT

02

SHUBHAANG
GOELA
THIRD YEAR (SEC
B)ROLL NUMBER 10
VASTUKALA
ACADEMY