Edwin Lutyens, The Designer of The New Capital Delhi, 1929 Print

Edwin Lutyens, The Designer of The New Capital Delhi, 1929 Print

A picture clipping from a 1929 news weekly of Sir Edwin Lutyens, the designer of the new capital of Delhi. He was one of the most important architects in the creation of New Delhi, the other was Herbert Baker. Edwin Lutyens was the eleventh of fourteen siblings, the son of Charles and Mary. He was born on 29 March 1869 in London.

In 1887 he left college, bored with the constraints and discipline of structured learning. He joined a London architect as an apprentice. It was there that he first met Herbert Baker. The two became good friends and spent time surveying architectural sights together. He began his private practice after securing a commission.

In 1896, Edwin met Emily Lytton. She was the only daughter of Lord Lytton, the viceroy of India from 1876 to 1880. With Lord Lytton’s daughter as his wife, became well-connected in the upper crusts of British society. Lutyens was poised for many lucrative and challenging works. He longed for an opportunity to conceive and work on a monumental project.

One that would keep his name alive, and celebrate his work, for all time. The hour had indeed come, as one day in distant India, the British Crown decided to shift their capital from Calcutta to Delhi.  The president of the Royal Institute of British Architecture constituting a special panel sought Lutyens for the new project.

He had one demand – that he design some of the main buildings. Thus the Government House, Legislative Council, etc was granted to him. His influence with the upper echelons played a crucial role in bagging the work. Herbert Baker and Edwin Lutyens went on to create history by designing the new capital of Delhi.

Did you know – Lord Lytton became the British Ambassador to France from 1887-1891 after his tenure as the viceroy of India.

From the collection – 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#16)., Shimla British India’s Summer Capital – Old Photo 1890., British Era Club Bowring Institute Bangalore, PC 1900., King George’s Car Delhi Durbar – Old Photo 1910.