# Rashtrapati Bhawan

- **Country:** India

Rashtrapati Bhavan stands as the official residence of the President of India, situated prominently on Raisina Hill at the western end of Rajpath in New Delhi. Originally constructed between 1912 and 1929, this monumental structure was designed by renowned architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. The building showcases a unique architectural style known as the Delhi Order, which creatively fuses classical Greek elements with traditional Indian motifs within an Indo-Saracenic framework. Spanning four floors plus a basement, the massive complex covers approximately 320 acres and contains 340 rooms connected by corridors stretching over two and a half kilometers, making it one of the largest residences for a head of state in the world.

Historically, the building served as the Viceroy's House from its opening in 1931 until India gained independence in 1947, housing the British Viceroy during the final years of colonial rule. Following independence, it briefly functioned as the Government House for the Governor General of India between 1947 and 1950. Upon India becoming a republic in 1950, the estate was renamed Rashtrapati Bhavan and transitioned into the permanent official residence of the President. Today, it remains in excellent condition under the ownership of the Government of India, serving not only as a private home for the President but also as a venue for major state ceremonies and diplomatic receptions. Its extensive grounds include the famous Amrit Udyan gardens, which are occasionally opened to the public, highlighting its dual role as a secure government stronghold and a cherished national heritage site.

![Photo of Rashtrapati Bhawan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Rashtrapati_Bhawan_Museum.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashtrapati_Bhavan,_New_Delhi (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)