THE PLANNING AND DESIGN OF

LUTYENS DELHI

Mayank Shekhawat
Vedika Agrawal
Image Source: http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2011/12/29/delhi-journal-the-lutyens-legacy/
Image source: http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1158/changing-image-of-lutyens-delhi
 The capital shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911

Image 1 Image 2

Reasons for the shifting of the capital:

• Controversial partitioning of Bengal In 1905 - right to vote between Bengali Hindus n

Muslims.
• Delhi’s geographical position at the centre of northern India (roughly equidistant from
Bombay and Calcutta)
• Delhi’s historic importance (Important seat of the Mughal empire) (For Hindus –
maharbharata-era city of Indraprastah)
• Perceived political need to rearticulate british power.

Image 1 Source: http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=713

Image 2 Source: http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=712
 1911 – Foundation stone for New Delhi
at Delhi Darbar
On December 15, 1911, King George V and Queen Mary laid the foundation
stone for New Delhi, at a Darbar under a purposely built Shah Jahani dome.
The message was clear: the British were the legitimate successors of the
Mughals and their new capital was intended to express the power of the
Raj, just as Shah Jahan’s capital had expressed the authority of the Mughals.

Image Source:
http://www.iicdelhi.nic.in/publications/uploads_diary_files/491816November112011_IIC%20Occasional%20Publication%2032&33.pdf
 The initial
design of
New Delhi

Lutyens had initially designed Delhi

with all the streets
crossing at right angles, much like
in New York.
However, Lord Hardinge told him of
the dust storms that sweep the
landscape in these parts, insisting
on roundabouts, hedges and trees
to break their force, giving him the
plans of Rome, Paris and
Washington to study and apply to
Image Source: http://www.wmf.org/sites/default/files/wmf_article/pg_38-
43_new_delhi.pdf Delhi.
Image source: http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1158/changing-image-of-lutyens-delhi
Intentions of the Layout:
Lutyens’ Delhi was planned on the most spacious garden
city lines with the great avenues decorated with classical
buildings with lush landscape.
The layout of Lutyens Delhi was governed by three major
visual corridors, linking the government complex with :

• Jama Masjid
• Indraprastha
• Safdarjungs Tomb

Image 1

Image 2

Image Source (Image 1 and Image 2): http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1158/changing-image-of-lutyens-delhi

 Features
1. The plan reflects Lutyens’ “transcendent fervour for geometric
symmetry,” which is expressed through amazing sequences of triangles
and hexagons, through sightlines and axes.

2. Lutyens’ plan is also remarkable

for the generous green spaces,
lawns, watercourses, flower and
fruit-bearing trees, and their
integration with
the parks developed around
monuments.

3. The attempt was to include all

natural and historical wonders in
the new city.

Image Source: http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/downloads/townplaning.pdf

The Road Network
• Besides the major Pathway,
there were extremely wide
avenues. The original design of
the road network was capable
of accommodating 6000
vehicles, however these
avenues, had the potential of
increasing their carriageway-
the reason why the road layout
has survived till today.

• In general the road network

consisted of diagonals and
radials, at 30 degree/ 60
degree angles to the main axis,
forming triangles and
hexagons.

Image source: http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1158/changing-image-of-lutyens-delhi

Lutyens’ Delhi - Zoning
GOVERNMENT
COMPLX

BUNGLOW ZONE

COMMERCIAL
DISTRICT
 GOVERNMENT COMPLEX

Image source: http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1158/changing-image-of-lutyens-delhi

Image source: http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1158/changing-image-of-lutyens-delhi
Image source: http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1158/changing-image-of-lutyens-delhi
 The Government Complex/ Administrative area

1. Lutyens laid out the central administrative area of the city.

2. At the heart of the city was the impressive Rashtrapati Bhawan, located on the top
of Raisina Hill. The Rajpath connects India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhawan, while
Janpath, which crosses it at a right angle, connects South end with Connaught
Place.
3. The Secretariat Building, which houses various ministries of the Government of
India including Prime Minister's Office are beside the Rashtrapati Bhawan and were
designed by Herbert Baker.
4. Also designed by Baker was the Parliament House, located on the Sansad Marg,
running parallel with the Rajpath.

Image Source: http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1158/changing-image-of-lutyens-delhi

 The Rashtrapati Bhawan
Lutyen's grandiose Government House (Rashtrapati Bhawan) - located on Raisina Hill,
and one of New Delhi's major thoroughfares, Rajpath, connects it to the Purana Qila

Lord Hardinge chose the Raisina Hill for

locating the viceroy’s palace because:

• It was a well drained.

• Constituted of slopes and plains
between the ridge and the river.
• Its eastern and southern margins
were studded with monuments of Image 1
vanished empires. A broad crescent
from Shahjahanabad and Kotla Firoz
Shah, south to Tughlaqabad and the
Qutub with tombs of Safdarjung and
Lodhis as well as Jantar Mantar in the
foreground could be viewed from the
site.

Image 2
Image 2
Image Source (Image 1 and Image 2): http://www.indiansecretsrevealed.com/rashtrapati-bhavan-trip/
Image Source: http://www.indiansecretsrevealed.com/rashtrapati-bhavan-trip/
 The Secretariat
• The Secretariat Building was designed by
architect Herbert Baker in Indo-Saracenic Revival
architecture.
• Much of the building is in classical architectural
style, yet it incorporated Mughal and Rajasthani
architecture style and motifs in its architecture.
• These are visible in the use of Jali.
• Another feature of the building is a dome-like Image 1
structure known as the Chatri.
• The style of architecture used
in Secretariat Building is
unique to Raisina Hill. In front
of the main gates on buildings
are the four "dominion
columns", given by Canada,
Australia, New Zealand and
South Africa.
Image 2
Image 3
Image Source (Image 1 and Image 2): http://www.indiansecretsrevealed.com/secratariat-building-trip/
Image Source (Image 3): http://www.postcolonialweb.org/india/art/architecture/colonial/seccomplex/column1.html
Image Source (Image 3): http://www.postcolonialweb.org/india/art/architecture/colonial/seccomplex/column1.html
The Parliament House
• The Parliament Hous was designed by Edwin
Lutyens and Herbert Baker.

• It was built with indigenous materials and by

Indian labour and the architecture of the
building bears a close imprint of the Indian
tradition.

• The layout of fountains both inside and

outside the building, the use of Indian
symbols, the "Chhajjas” and the varied forms
of "Jali" in marble are reminders of the story
of the craftsmanship displayed in ancient
monuments and memorials.
COMMON
FEATURES THICK BAND

http://www.hindustantimes.com/The-Budget-s-journey-through-
JALIS Parliament/Article1-1056413.aspx

BUDDHIST DOME
THICK BAND

JALIS

http://monuments-in-india.blogspot.in/2009/12/rashtrapati-bhavan.html

BUDDHIST DOME

THICK BAND

JALIS

http://www.indiansecretsrevealed.com/secratariat-building-trip/
 THE PRINCELY STATES
• Starting from India Gate, at the
lowest and eastern end of Rajpath,
nearby land was allocated to
numerous princely states, each of
which built small palaces, such as
the Bikaner House (now the
Rajasthan tourism office) and Jaipur
House (now the National Gallery of
Modern Art).
• It might be said that this placement
mirrored the British sentiments
toward the princes, who lost much
of their former power and status
during the British Raj. Here, too, are
the state Bhavans (houses), where
you can taste the cuisine of each
state.

Image Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/of-princes-palaces-and-plush-points/article1-707274.aspx

 THE HYDRABAD
HOUSE

The largest of all palaces in New Delhi — a building that suited the status of the Nizam of
Hyderabad. Designed by Edwin Lutyens. The majestic mansion had 36 rooms.
Lutyens designed Hyderabad House in the shape of a butterfly — a plan that he had first
used for Papillon Hall in Leicestershire in 1903.
The main architectural feature of Hyderabad House is a dome with an entrance hall
beneath which symmetrical wings radiate at an angle of fifty-five degrees. Its round arches
flanked by rectangular openings to the height of the impost was inspired by the Pantheon
in Rome, a city where Lutyens stayed in 1909. For the first floor windows of the grand place,
Lutyens chose a combination of rectangular and round arches that were inspired by the
Uffizi to the Arno in Florence.
The majestic building that boasts of courtyards, archways, obelisks, large flower containers,
grand stairways, marble fireplaces, fountains, had a pre-dominantly European character
with some Mughal motifs.
Image Source: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/5403445
 THE BARODA
HOUSE

Situated next to Hyderabad House, is another magnificent building designed by Edwin

Lutyens. He designed the Baroda House on a train from Bombay in 1921, and it took
15 years to build it. The Gaekwad of Baroda , who was educated in England, wanted
his palace in New Delhi to be Anglo-Saxon in style.
The grand Baroda House was known for its terraces, grand corridors, cooling arcades,
beautiful gardens and well-ventilated salons and richly done up living rooms.
Gaekwad led a very westernised lifestyle.

Image Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/of-princes-palaces-and-plush-points/article1-707274.aspx

 THE PATIALA
HOUSE

Patiala House was formerly the palatial residence of the Maharaja of Patiala (in
Punjab). part of central vista, this building, built in the 1930s, has a central dome
with a butterfly layout, similar to other buildings o the Lutyens zone. Today it
houses the district Courts complex for New Delhi District. 'A double Vtoreyed
building, the central portion is emphasized with a domed pavilion on the terrace
and projection porchover the upper storey, there is a projecting chajja running
the entire length of the old building. It has seen interesting occupants ever since
the Maharaja vacated it.

Image Source: http://www.delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_session/Session+Judge/Home/Delhi+District+Courts/Patiala+House

 THE JAIPUR
HOUSE

Jaipur House (National Gallery of Modern Art) is located diametrically opposite Hyderabad
House. Like other princes’ residences, the building was also designed in the shape of a
butterfly with a central dome. But very few people know that it was British architect Charles
Blomfield, who designed the building. It was designed in a mix of neo-classical and Art Deco
style. The butterfly-shaped building has two symmetrical ‘wings’ radiating from the central
court.

Two similar wings radiate towards the back facing the gardens. The façade of this
comparatively austere palace is marked by two levels of small, vertical, slit-like windows. A
continuous sunshade or ‘chajja’ in redstone caps the entire façade. The building has arched
openings framed by Rajput columns.
Image Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/of-princes-palaces-and-plush-points/article1-707274.aspx
 Drawbacks
• In this whole process almost no
attention was paid to the problems of
Old Delhi. Due to the creation of New
Delhi, Old Delhi experienced a 28%
surge in population from 1916-1926
resulting in the spilling over of the
population from inside the walled city
to the Paharganj area, whose
restructuring was later abandoned by
Lutyens due to resource constraints.
• Also, no provision of housing was
premeditated for the large no. of
skilled and unskilled workers which
immigrated in for the construction
work of New Delhi.
• This negligence of the planners
towards Old Delhi resulted in its
transformation to a large slum area
through deterioration and
dilapidation.
Image Source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_Lutyens'_proj
ected_Imperial_Delhi,_from_the_Encyclopedia_Britannica,_11t
 References
Books:

David Gordon (2006) Planning Twentieth Century Capital Cities, : Routledge.

Robert Byron (1997) New Delhi, New Delhi: Asian Educational Services.

Lucy Peck (n.d.) Delhi: a thousand years of building.

Websites:

ARCHITECTURE OF DELHI - Delhi-city in conflict. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://delhi-

architecture.weebly.com/delhi-city-in-conflict.html. [Accessed 12 October 2013].

Princes and Painters in Mughal Delhi » Design of Delhi: Edwin Lutyens. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://sites.asiasociety.org/princesandpainters/design-of-delhi-edwin-lutyens/. [Accessed 11 October
2013].

Changing Image of Lutyens Delhi | Archinomy. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at:

http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1158/changing-image-of-lutyens-delhi. [Accessed 12 October
2013].

New Delhi. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://archnet.org/library/places/one-

place.jsp?place_id=2722&order_by=title&showdescription=1. [Accessed 15 October 2013].