Construction of India’s Parliament House New Delhi, 1925 Postcard
This 1925 postcard shows the construction in progress of India’s old Parliament House in New Delhi. It was also known as the Legislative Building at that time. It was designed by two British architects, Herbert Baker, and Edwin Lutyens. Both were the chief architects for the new Indian capital of New Delhi.
The new building had the Council of State (now Rajya Sabha), Legislative Assembly (now Lok Sabha), and Chamber of Princes (now the Library). The construction commenced in 1921 and was completed by 1927. However, only by 1929 it had its grand opening which was in line with capital’s lavish opening ceremony.
At the same time, Edwin Lutyen’s associate architect, Henry Baker, designed a triangular shaped parliament house with three chambers and a central hall. But Lutyens’s round design seems to have been more favoured over Baker’s by the New Capital Committee for some reason. Lutyen’s design was believed to have been inspired by the circular shape of an ancient Hindu Temple in Madhya Pradesh. However in 2023, a new Parliament House was inaugurated replacing this older one, and is of the triangular design.
Also read New Parliament Building Inauguration.
Did you know – the old Parliament building was retired and is awaiting heritage restoration and status.
Past posts – M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Untitled 1964 (#18)., American Soldiers Victory Parade At Delhi WW2, 1944 Photo., Srirangam Temple – Old Print 1872., Britishers With Early Car Madras Presidency, 1908.
