Views of Princely Palaces In Delhi,1939 Postcard
A 1939 photo postcard showing views of the once princely palaces in colonial Delhi. Some of them were grand royal residences just like the rulers themselves like the Nizam’s Palace (once considered the richest man in the world). Others although not shown in this postcard were the Baroda Palace (Baroda House), Bikaner Palace (Bikaner House), Jaipur Palace (Jaipur House), etc.
The occupants were wealthy Maharajas whenever they visited the capital. Most of them were converted into state residencies like the Hyderabad House (Telangana), Travancore House (Kerala), J& K House (Kashmir), and so on. Designed by Britisher Robert Tor Russell, the Teen Murti Bhavan (Commander-in-Chief) was constructed in 1930. As part of the new imperial capital of Delhi project.
Jawaharlal Nehru stayed there (after India’s independence) until his death in 1964. Completed in 1928 Edwin Lutyens designed the Nizam’s Palace (Hyderabad House). A massive complex on 8.77 acres of land which was also a part of the new imperial capital project. Constructed in 1930 was the Travancore House, again a part of the Delhi project.
Kashmir House was the former palace of the Maharaja of Kashmir designed by Edwin Lutyens. The grandest of them all, the Rashtrapati Bhavan previously the Viceregal Lodge or Viceroy’s House or Government House. Designed by now the prolific architect Edwin Lutyens, an imposing 340-room building on 320-acre land that took seventeen years to complete. These mansions now exude old-world charm. Notice the British Union Jack Flags.
See post Aerial View of Rashtrapati Bhavan & Parliament – Old Postcard
Did you know- the Nizam’s sons intensely disliked the palace, finding it too western in style for their taste, and seldom used it.
From the collection- c1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal On Paper Lovers (#5)., British Cavalrymen Bangalore Cantonment-Old Photo., Floating Dock British Era Bombay – Old Print 1872., Earliest Motor Car In Colaba Bombay – Old Photograph 1900
