Lutyens' Delhi

Description

Named after the prominent British architect, Lutyens' Delhi is an upscale urban district surrounding the picturesque Presidential Estate, the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The area was constructed after the British imperial regime decided to move the capital of their Indian Empire from Calcutta to New Delhi. It is home to the Capital's government offices, including the grand Parliament of India, the Secretariat, residences for high-ranking ministers and museums. The area also has many historic monuments such as India Gate.

Sir Edwin Lutyens used Edwardian architecture (1901-1910), light sandstone colors and decorative patterns. The Neo-Classical era paired with India`s Mughal and Buddhist heritage inspired Lutyens`s Delhi, the “Eighth City” of Delhi. Lutyens invented his own “Delhi Order” of neo-Classical columns that fuse Greek and Indian elements. Lutyens`s Delhi consists of straight and diagonal hexagonal patterns of broad tree-lined avenues with extensive green spaces and wide vistas.

Founded, 1911

Constructed, 1931

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The site atop the Raisina Hill, formerly Raisina Village, a Meo village, was chosen for the Rashtrapati Bhawan, then known as the Viceroy's House.

The central axis of New Delhi, which today faces east at India Gate, was previously meant to be a north–south axis linking the Viceroy's House at one end with Paharganj at the other.

Painstaking efforts of thousands of labourers including masons, carpenters, artists, carvers, and cutters saw the completion of this masterwork in the year 1929.

An aerial view of Lutyens' Delhi, the ceremonial axes and the monumental architecture showcasing imperial might.

Large parts of New Delhi were planned by Edwin Lutyens, who first visited Delhi in 1912, and Herbert Baker, both leading 20th-century British architects.

This mansion has a total of 340 rooms spread over four floors, 2.5 kilometres of corridors and 190 acres of garden area.

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Before the new imperial capital was established in 1911, the Old Delhi Railway Station served the Agra-Delhi railways, the line cut through what is today called Lutyens' Delhi. The line was eventually shifted to make way for the new capital and the New Delhi Railway Station was built near Ajmeri Gate in 1926.

The ceremonial axis flanked by monumental sandstone buildings under construction.

1911 - Founded

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1911 - Founded - Drawings and documents

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Map of New Delhi, showing the new and existing areas around Raisina Hill

Map of New Delhi, contextualizing its position with respect to the Old City of Shahjahanabad

Plan of Imperial Delhi

Aerial view rendering highlighting the location of the new Imperial Capital

Rendering of Lutyens' vision for New Delhi

Lutyens designed the central administrative area of the city as a testament to Britain's imperial aspirations.

Originally built as the residence for the Viceroy of India, Viceroy's House as it was then called, has metamorphosed into today’s Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Sketches by Lutyens of the Viceroy's House

Sections of Viceroy's House along North-South Axis

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