92 years old Durbar Hall, where Nehru and Prasad were sworn in, has now become Republic Pavilion

President Draupadi Murmu has changed the names of two rooms in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Darbar Hall, which has always been mentioned historically, will now be called the Republic Hall and the Ashok Hall will be called the Ashok Hall. Both these halls have their own story. Both these halls are 92 years old. Sir Edwin Lutyens started building this magnificent Rashtrapati Bhavan in 1911 and finished it in 1932.

Before independence, Darbar Hall was called Thorn Hall. Then it got a new name as Darbar Hall. Darbar means the room where the chief can sit with his colleagues and courtiers and hold a meeting. Darbar Hall also has its own story. It has also been a witness to our golden moments. Bharat Ratnas have been awarded here, many types of award ceremonies have been held here.

Durbar Hall was formerly Thorne Hall
When this building was completed in 1932, it was called Viceroy House. Then this hall was named Thorn Hall. But when India became independent, this room was named Darbar Hall. However, it has also had another name – Throne Room, about which very few people know.

Though the Durbar spaces are large, this hall is small – so small that it falls short of space for the inauguration and swearing-in ceremonies.

This hall is just below the central dome
Darbar Hall is one of the most magnificent rooms in Rashtrapati Bhavan, it is the main hall built right below the huge central dome. In 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru was sworn in as the country’s first Prime Minister here on the night of the country’s independence. Then in 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as the President here.

The body of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was also kept here
This is also the place where the body of President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was kept in February 1977. This is where the government hosts heads of state from around the world. This is where former President Ram Nath Kovind received blessings from 107-year-old Saalumarada Thimmakka, popularly known as ‘Vriksha Mathe’.

The effect of this room is mesmerizing
It is a circular chamber surrounded by 42 feet high marble walls. British architecture expert Christopher Hussey wrote in his 1953 book The Life of Sir Edwin Lutyens, “The effect of this hall is overwhelming and completely silent and at once mesmerizing.

Ashok Hall is now known as Ashok Mandap. This is a big and grand room. (courtesy rashtrapati bhawan)

Two-ton Belgian glass hanging chandelier
The hall is surrounded by yellow Jaisalmer marble columns with white tops and bases. Sunlight comes into the hall from 12 marble lattices in the attic. The floor is a mixture of white marble from Makrana and Alwar and dark chocolate-coloured marble imported from Italy. Amidst all this, a two-ton Belgian glass chandelier shines down.

this room is a bit small
In the 1970s, the use of the Durbar Hall for oath-taking ceremonies was discontinued for some time. Then the much larger Ashoka Hall began to be used. However, even the British Viceroys felt that this hall was a bit small.

When Nehru took oath here…
When Nehru was sworn in at the Durbar Hall, crowds thronged outside the huge courtyard of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, trying to get inside the premises. Recently, in 2014 and 2019, the swearing-in ceremonies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his council of ministers were held in the packed courtyard of the Rashtrapati Bhavan instead of the Durbar Hall.

Now this hall will be known as the Republic Hall. Although earlier it was known as the Throne Room, when C. Rajagopalachari took oath as the Governor General of India in 1948, perhaps he named it Durbar Hall.

Superb paintings
In this room, a 5th century statue of Lord Buddha is placed on a red velvet background in front of the wall. The President’s chair is placed in front of this statue. Earlier, two thrones were kept at this place, one for the Viceroy and the other for the Vicereine. The corridor of this hall displays statues of former Indian presidents carved by famous sculptors from all over the country. It also has many magnificent paintings. One of the most attractive and decorated rooms of Rashtrapati Bhavan is Ashoka Hall.

Ashok Hall was once a ballroom
Now let us know about Ashok Hall, its name has now become Ashok Mandap. In the context of Indian architecture, the outer hall standing on pillars is called Mandap, in which many types of activities take place.

Ashok Hall was used as a state ballroom during the Viceroy’s era, this is a large hall. Ashok Hall has also been used for presenting credentials by the heads of missions of foreign countries and for state banquets hosted by the President.

Its ceiling and floor have a different attraction
Both the ceiling and floor of this room have their own charm. The floor is made entirely of wood. There are springs under its surface. The ceilings of Ashok Hall are adorned with oil paintings.

There is a big painting of the Persian ruler here
In the middle of the ceiling is a leather painting depicting Fath Ali Shah on horseback, the second of the seven Qajar rulers of Persia, hunting a tiger with his 22 sons. The painting, which is 5.20 metres long and 3.56 metres wide, is a mesmerising hall, though Lady Willington did not like the painting.

There are many notable artifacts in Ashok Hall. Which are priceless. It is said that 500 weavers worked for two years to make the carpet laid in Ashok Hall. This carpet is of dark red color. There are shapes of flowers and trees.

Tags: President Draupadi Murmu, Rashtrapati Bhavan