Click it and Unblock the Notifications
India is a country which is known as the largest democratic country in the world after getting its independence from the British Empire. The country is home to 29 states and 7 union territories; every state has its own set of ministers and governors, apart from the central government, the prime minister and the president.
Every state has marvellous buildings, which were either constructed by the British or after independence, for the operating of various offices in the government; these are considered as the seats of power. Some of these structures are true architectural marvels and are simply spellbinding; to stand and glare at the sheer magnificence of these beauties is an experience in itself. Read on further to find some of the most beautiful government buildings in the country and make it a point to visit them.
Cover Image PC: Mellisa Anthony Jones
1. Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru
PC: Zigg-E
Located in Bengaluru, Vidhana Soudha is the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka. The structure is constructed in style known as Mysore Neo-Dravidian, along with incorporations of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian styles of architecture. Kengal Hanumanthaiah was the brainchild behind this architectural marvel, whose foundation-a stone-was laid by then then prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, in the year 1952 and was officially declared open in the year 1956.
The five-storeyed structure is the largest legislative building in the country which is spread across an area of 2,300 ft by 1,1150 ft. At the entrance of the building, one would notice an inscription which reads, "Government's Work is God's Work" and its Kannada equivalent "Sarkarada Kelasa Devara Kelasa". Intrestingly the structure celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
2. Writer's Building, Kolkata
PC: VnGrijl
The Writer's Building is the secretariat building of the State Government of West Bengal, which is located in the city of Kolkata. The building housed the office of the chief minister of West Bengal until 2013, the building originally served as the office for writers of the British East India Company-from where it gets name.
The structure was designed by Thomas Lyon in the year 1777 and has been renovated multiple times over the period of time. The building measures 150 m in length and stretches itself to a water body known as Lal Dighi; it also holds an important place in the Indian Independence Movement.
3. Kerala Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram
The seat of administration of the government of Kerala, the secretariat is the office of important ministers and bureaucrats. The structure is a very popular landmark which is located right at the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city located on the Narmada Road; the complex was originally built as to serve as the Durbar Hall for the Travancore kingdom.
The foundation of the structure was laid by His Highness Ayilyam Thirunal Maharaja in the year 1865 and was completed in the year 1869. The structure was planned as the Durbar Hall where the king could meet his council of ministers; it was designed and built under the leadership of Barton who was the then chief engineer of Travancore, who incorporated Roman and Dutch elements in its architecture.
4. Raj Bhavan, Nainital
PC: Utkarsh saxena
Uttarakhand is one of the few states in the country which has two Raj Bhavans, which is the official residence of the governor of the state. The first one is located in Dehradun and the second one in Nainital. During the pre-independence time, Nainital was the summer capital of the United Provinces which is the present Uttar Pradesh.
Built on the lines of a Scottish castle, it was named as Government House and was renamed as Raj Bhavan after Independence. The structure is the only Raj Bhavan which is open for tourists unlike the other, where entry is restricted.
5. Madras High Court, Chennai
PC: Yoga Balaji
The Madras High Court is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and was built in the year 1892. The structure was designed by J.W. Brassington along with the guidance of the well-known architect, Henry Irwin. The court is one of the three high courts in the country which was established in the three presidency cities by the letters patent granted by Her Majesty Queen Victoria in the year 1862.
