Rashtrapati Niwas, Himachal Pradesh

The Rashtrapati Niwas is also known as the Viceregal Lodge is one of the historical monuments in Himachal Pradesh. It not only shows the history of the state but of the entire country. The Rashtrapati Niwas is situated on the Observatory Hills of Shimla and was the home of the Viceroy Of India during the colonial rule. It contains many historic and important artifacts, documents, and photographs of British rule. This amazing piece of history was designed and made by a British architect named Henry Irwin.

History

The summer capital of British India was of little use to the President of India who visited it only for a few days in the year, if at all. Professor S.Radhakrishnan thought of putting it to academic use. The Rashtrapati Nivas Estate was transferred to the Ministry of Education to be handed over to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. The C.P.W.D., the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and the Himachal Pradesh University were allowed in due course to use some of its buildings but the bulk of the Estate, including its well-kept lawns and rich glass-house, has remained in use for the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.

Architecture

It stands on Observatory Hill that has a unique characteristic. Water from one side of this hill flows to the Bay of Bengal in the east and water from the other side flows to the Arabian Sea in the west.

The initial estimated cost of this building was Rs 38 Lakh with an annual upkeep of Rs 1.5 Lakhs. Remember we are talking about the 1880s.

The architecture of the building draws from the English Renaissance. But you can see the resemblance to castles of Scotland.