Illustration of Government house in 1855Government House, South Front, photographed by Samuel Bourne
In the early nineteenth century, Calcutta was at the height of its golden age. Known as the City of Palaces or St. Petersburg of the East, Calcutta was the richest, largest and the most elegant colonial city of India.[2]
Before 1799, the Governor-General of India resided in a rented house, called 'Buckingham House', located in the same location. The land belonged to Mohammad Reza Khan, a Nawab of Chitpur.[3] In 1799, Governor-General Richard Wellesley, who is reputed to have said that "India should be governed from a palace, not from a country house", began the construction of a grand mansion.[4]
After four years' construction it was completed at a colossal cost of £63,291 (about £3.8 million in today's estimate).[5] Wellesley was accused of misusing of East India Company's fund and was finally recalled back to England in 1805.[6]
After the capital of the British Raj moved to New Delhi in 1911, the Viceroy and Governor-General's residence moved to the Viceroy House. The Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, who had hitherto resided in Belvedere House, was upgraded to a full governor and transferred to Government House.[9]
Government House was designed by Capt. Charles Wyatt on the lines of Kedleston Hall, the Curzon family in Derbyshire.[10] The building follows a neoclassical style with distinct Baroque overtones. In a strange coincidence, a 100 years after its construction started, the most illustrious son of the Curzon family, Lord Curzon, would come to occupy the building as the Viceroy and Governor-General of India (1899-1905).[11] Curzon described the Government House as “without doubt the finest Government House occupied by the representative of any Sovereign or Government in the world.”[12]
In 1860s, Viceroy James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin added the metallic Dome. Lord Curzon brought electricity and lift (popularly known as the ‘Bird Cage Lift") to Raj Bhavan.[12]
Arched Gate of the Raj Bhavan
The architectural plan comprises a central core with four radiating wings. The state rooms located in the central core are accessed from the outside by a flight of grand steps on the north. On the south is another portico surmounted by a colonnaded verandah with a dome above. The four wings accommodate the various offices and residential quarters along with four sets of staircases. The plan of the wings allows for a great deal of natural ventilation in the spaces while also permitting views across the gardens. The wings are decorated with large coats of arms.[13]
The Raj Bhavan covers an area of 7,800 square metres (84,000 square feet) and is surrounded by a compound of 11 hectares (27 acres).[14] The Raj Bhavan has six gateways, one each on the north and south and two each on the east and west. The four gates on the east and west have grand archways topped with lions, while the minor archways on the side are topped with sphinxes.[13]
Chinese cannon, Raj Bhavan
The best view of the Raj Bhavan is obtained from the North Gate, which also serves as the main gate. The main entrance, formed by six ionic pillars supporting a pediment, is approached by a long walk past a decorated Chinese cannon presented by Edward Law, 1st Earl of Ellenborough.[15]
The Chinese cannon, mounted on a dragon and flanked with minor cannons, was brought from Nanking in 1842 after the First Opium War. An inscription on a marble plaque reads "The peace dictated to the Emperor of China under the walls of Nanking by the military force of England and of India".[12]
Interior
The three-storeyed Raj Bhavan building has a huge central area consisting of large halls having curved corridors on all four sides radiating to detached wings, each constituting a house in itself. Including public halls, there are about 60 rooms in the building.[12]
The residential portion is divided into four suites. The Prince of Wales Suite in the north-west wing of the first floor hosts the President, Vice President and the Prime Minister of India and heads of state of other nations when they visit the state of West Bengal. The Wellesley Suite is located on the second floor in the north-eastern wing, the Dufferin Suite is on the second floor of north-west wing, and the fourth suite is the Anderson Suite.
Drawing and dining rooms
Yellow Drawing Room: Located on the first floor of the Raj Bhavan, the beautiful drawing room has some wonderful paintings.
Blue Drawing Room: An elegantly furnished room used by the governor to meet guest.
Brown Dining Room: Adjacent to the Blue Dining room, it is used for small conferences and meetings.[14]
Council Chamber: The Governor General used the Council Chamber to preside over the executive and later the Legislative Council. It is now used by the Governor of West Bengal to hold large meetings. A small dining room known as the Bharat Ratna Room and a billiard room is located just outside the Council Chamber.
The Marble Hall: Located on the ground floor of the Raj Bhavan. It is used for state and private meetings.
The Banquet Hall: The Banquet Hall with rows of Doric pillars on each side, flowering chandeliers and black Mahogany tables has entertained eminent guests like Queen Elizabeth II.
