Inauguration of India’s Parliament Building New Delhi, 1927 Print
A 1927 print on the inauguration of India’s new Parliament building at Delhi. Edwin Lutyens and Henry Baker were appointed as the two architects for the planning of the new capital Delhi. The parliament building is spread over five acres of ground, the circular building is 570 feet in diameter, with 144 tall pillars, each 27 feet high. Lutyens and Baker frequently had differences concerning the various departments of work. It was no different in this case too, they clashed over the location and shape of the Council House (or Parliament).
Henry Baker’s plan was an equilateral triangle design. That had three sides of the wings to house the three chambers (see image scanned from a book). The Legislative Assembly (now the Lok Sabha), the Council of State (now Rajya Sabha), and the Chamber of Princes (now the library). The chambers then linked to a central imposing dome. Edwin Lutyens stood his ground, he did not agree to the triangular design of Henry Baker.
Lutyen’s had put forth a circular design which he made sure got the approval of the “New Capital Committee.” The circular design is what we see now as the Parliament House. The four pictures shown on the page reveal the events on the inauguration day. Which included the introduction of one of the architects to the Viceroy Lord Irwin and Lady Irwin. The Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh with his son are also visible.
See my post Inauguration Of Parliament Building Delhi – Old Photo 1927. Read also An Introduction To Parliament of India.
Did you know- both architects were great friends once but their friendship got so strained by the time the planning of Delhi was completed.
From the collection- Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Saraswati” Oleograph., The Tatschali Line In Bombay – Old Advertising Postcard 1899., Worli Fort In Mumbai Old Print 1930., Cumballa Hill Area In The 19th Century – Old Photo 1880
Henry Baker’s triangular design
Edwin Lutyen’s circular design
