New Delhi, Aug 5 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil released a commemorative postage stamp on Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
The postage stamp marks the 80th anniversary of the commissioning of the building, when the then Governor General of India, Lord Irwin, became its first occupant. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of New Delhi. Also, President Patil recently completed four years in office.
The Viceroy's Housere christened as Rashtrapati Bhavan on 26 January 1950 was conceptualized in 1911 (after the Delhi Durbar) under Lord Hardinge, the then Viceroy and Governor General of India. Construction began in 1913 on 130 hectares of land to build the 340 room building spread over 200,000 square feet.
The use of pink sandstone and Dholpur buff or cream stone establishes the kinship of Rashtrapati Bhavan with Mughal and Rajpur edifices.
The most outstanding feature of the House, the large Neo-Buddhist Dome that rises over a vast frontage pays homage to the Stupa at Sanchi. Another typical Mughal edifice is the use of projecting cornice or Chajjas, Chattries and Jallies.
The Mughal Garden has the geometric decorum of the gardens at Taj Mahal and Shalimar Gardens at Srinagar. Made with some 700 million bricks, three million cubic feet of stone and very little steel, Rashtrapati Bhavan is an "H" shaped structure with four floors.
Marking the entry point of precincts of Rashtrapati Bhavan is the wrought black lace like grille, acclaimed to be a work of art in itself.
It leads into a "T shaped" court with its horizontal portion forming the forecourt, a stage for Ceremonial Guards of Honour held for the visiting Heads of State and Government. In the centre of the jutting section of the T stands the mighty Jaipur Column, an official release said. (ANI)
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