The Royal Haven - Architecture of Rashtrapati Bhavan

[Tain Con]

Rashtrapati Bhavan is considered the most prestigious and esteemed
artifact of India. This prominent building is enveloped by exceptional
political and cultural annotations as it is not simply one of the most
magnificent architectural structures of India, but is also the
official residence of the President of India. When the capital of
India was relocated from Kolkata to New Delhi, the British Empire
sensed the need to construct a residence for the British Viceroy in
the new capital of the country. With regards to this intention, the
building structure was designed and constructed with excellent
artistry considering all the requirements and comforts of a King. The
construction is spectacular with its two shade sandstone architecture
that reflects a pure intermingle of Mughal and classical European
architecture. The most breathtaking and distinctive perspective on
this edifice is the dome, its elegance and design taken from the
famous Stupa at Sanchi. The dome is superimposed on the structure in a
way that it is visible from a very long distance and is breathtaking.
The contemporary Rashtrapati Bhavan was the residential home of the
British Viceroy, which was designed by Edwin Landseer Lutyens.

Apart from this there is the Durbar Hall with the throne of the
Viceroy. The Hall is embellished by the bright and stunning colored
marbles that enhances the impressive ambiance of the construction.
Then there is the Ashoka Hall designed with wooden flooring beneath a
Persian style painted ceiling. Other attractions in the building are
striking Indian architectural patterns like the Buddhist railings,
chhatris, chhajjas and jaalis. Chhatris are festooned beautifully at
the rooftop; chhajjas are stone slabs below the roof to safeguard the
structure from sun rays in addition to heavy rains during monsoons;
and jaalis are stone slabs with lots of perforations designed with an
array of floral and geometric patterns.

The sanctioned amount for the construction was 4, 00, 000 pounds .
Nevertheless , it took 17 years for constructing this Indian monument
and the amount approved was amplified to 8, 77, 136 pounds (equivalent
to Rs 12 .8 million then). The cost including construction of
Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mughal Garden and the staff quarters amounted to
Rs. 14 million.

Moreover, the Rashtrapati Bhavan embodies an assortment of appealing
Indian temple bells in its pillars. All these greatly enhance the
aesthetic appeal of the architectural marvel. The Presidential Estate
comprises a drawing room, dining room, ball room, tennis court, polo
ground, golf course, cricket field, museum and banquet hall. To the
west of this incredible structure is the exquisite Mughal garden
reflecting a blend of Mughal and British style.

It is spread across a land of 13 acres and is a home to many native
and exotic flowers. The garden is divided into a grid of squares
through four channels, two running north to south and two running east
to west. The crossings of these channels are adorned with lotus shaped
fountains that elevate the magnificence of the garden. In all aspects,
like form, style, and structure, the Rashtrapati Bhavan fascinates all
visitors and tourists as much as the other architecture marvels of the
country. Rashtrapati Bhavan is extended over four floors having 340
rooms in all. With a floor area of 2, 00, 000 square feet the
structure is built using 700 million bricks and three million cubic
feet of stone. A limited amount steel has gone into construction of
this Indian monument.

The highlight of Rashtrapati Bhavan is its dome. It is visible from a
distance and is known to have the most attractive round roof in Delhi.
Experts assert that the dome is strikingly similar to the Stupas at
Sanchi. Rashtrapati Bhavan has Buddhist railings, chhajjas, chhatris
and jaalis similar to those at Sanchi. Another Indian feature present
in the building’s architecture is the use of Indian temple bells in
its pillars. Having temple bells on the pillars was a good idea since
it is a part of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions. Blending these
bells with the Hellenic style architecture is a good example of how
Indian and European designs can be fused.

This 'Empire in Stone' was transmogrified to the permanent institution
of democracy on January 26, 1950 when Dr Rajendra Prasad became the
first President of India and occupied this building. It was from that
day that the building was renamed as Rashtrapati Bhavan or the
President's House. When Chakrabarty Rajagopalachari assumed the office
as the first Governor General of India and he began living in this
building, he preferred to stay only in a segment of the Rashtrapati
Bhavan. This segment now comprises the family wing of the Bhavan. The
then Viceroy's segment is now being used as the Guest Wing of the
building where the honorable heads of state and delegates of other
countries stay during their official visits to India. Therefore the
grandeur and vastness of Rashtrapati Bhavan has left ace architects
of the day awestruck.