Rashtrapati Bhawan

Delhi, India

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Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi is the official residence of the President of India and one of the largest presidential palaces in the world, covering more than 320 acres and containing around 340 rooms.

It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens with significant contributions from Herbert Baker and constructed between 1912 and 1929 during the British colonial era as the residence of the Viceroy, originally called the Viceroy's House. The architecture blends European Neoclassical style with Indian elements such as chhatris, lattice screens, and carved elephants, with a distinctive central dome inspired by the Sanchi Stupa.

The complex also includes extensive Mughal Gardens spanning 15 acres, featuring a vast variety of roses and other flowers. Rashtrapati Bhavan stands on Raisina Hill and marks the ceremonial axis of New Delhi’s layout, with its grand design symbolizing the synthesis of Indian and Western architectural traditions and the history of British rule transitioning into independent India’s presidency.