HISTORICALAVINASH: May 2010

Rashtrapati Bhavan is an eminent monument of British empire which is situated at the west end of the 2.5km long Rajpath (Kingsway), a tree-lined avenue flanked by lawns with orderly flowerbeds and lipped hedges, with the India gate at the opposite end. It is the house of the President of India. It is a real masterpiece that was built in the British period. It was designed by the great architect Edwin Lutyens, along with Herbert Baker, and completed in 1929. Previously it was known as “Viceroy's House" till 1950.

In 1947, when India became independent, the Vicefroy’s house was re-named Government House and when the country became a republic in 1952 it was re-christened as Rashtrapati Bhavan (President Quarters). The total cost of constructing the Rashtrapati Bhavan crossed £12, 53,000 in British India.
Visitors require official permission from Government of India Tourist Office to visit Rashtrapati Bhavan. To the west of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, there is a wonderful Mughal garden which is open to the public every spring. The timings are from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm on all days except Mondays. Every Saturday at 10.30 am, mounted and un-mounted troops parade in full uniform, at the front of gates of the secretariat and the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which is worth attending.

Photo Gallery

The Rashtrapati Bhawan at night

The ministry at President house

Rastrapati Bhavan Photo

Rashtrapati Bhawan enterance gate

Rashtrapati Bhavan Wallpaper

Rashtrapati Bhavan Tower

Rashtrapati Bhavan Picture

Rashtrapati Bhavan night Photo

Indian President House Photo

Garden at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Elephants on the outer wall.

Rashtrapati Bhawan outer View

Safdarjung's Tomb is a beautiful mausoleum, situated at Lodi road, in the city of Delhi, India. The tomb was built in 1753-54 by Shuja-ud-Daula, in the style of late Mughal architecture. Shuja-ud-Daula was the son of Safdarjung. Safdarjang was the viceroy of Awadh under Mohammed Shah. Later he became his prime minister too. Safdarjung's tomb represents the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture.

Description of the Tomb :-
The Tomb is built with red sandstone and buff stone. It spreads over an area of 300 sq m. The garden of Safdarjung's tomb is laid down on the pattern of the Mughal Charbagh style. The Safdarjung tomb was erected roughly on the pattern of Humayun's tomb. There are two graves here, Safdarjung and the other apparently his wife's. There are polygonal towers at the corners of the mausoleum. Kiosks cover these. In the center of the underground chamber lie the graves of Safdarjang and his wife. The ceilings of the whole tomb are decorated with painted plasterwork. The marble and sandstone used in the construction have been removed from the mausoleum of Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana. Just at the frontage of the Safdarjung's Tomb, there is a beautiful Mughal garden which is properly maintained. It is also known as “Charbag” The garden is spread over an area of 300 square meters. It is divided into four squares by wide pathways and tanks. It is further divided into smaller squares. It resembles the Mughal style of garden or Charbagh.

Visitor’s information :-
You can visit this monument by paying a minimum entry fee. It remains open for all days from sunrise to sunset. If you want to take photos then you have to pay additional fee for that. You can reach here by taking local buses and auto rickshaw from any parts of the city. The Nizamuddin Railway is the nearest railway station to this tomb and Indira Gandhi International Airport is the closest airport.