North and South Block New Delhi

INTRODUCTION:

North and South Block, New Delhi, heaved on Rasina Hill, are the two Secretariats located adjacent to the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Originally known as the British Secretariat Buildings, it is the home of the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs. In between the Secretariat and the Rashtrapati Bhawan is the Vijay Chowk.
The Britishers built the North and South Block and the Rashtrapati Bhawan when the capital was transferred. The buildings are the creation of the British architect Herbert Baker deriving its inspiration from Christopher Wren’s Royal Naval College at Greenwich.

The buildings reflect a blend of the Mughal and the Rajputana style of architecture. It is built on a raised foundation 30 feet above the ground level with a huge dome. Jali (decorated stone screens) and Chajja (slanting screens on the outer part of the building) are some of the architectural features of these buildings which make it unique. The buildings have four sandstone columns with a bronze ship sailing east atop each indication the domination of the British empire in Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. The buildings also have long running corridors with about 1000 rooms on each of the four floors.

The North Block houses the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Home Affairs. On the gateway is the inscription which reads “Liberty will not descend to people; people must raise themselves to liberty. It is a blessing which must be earned before it can be enjoyed.” The South Block houses the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.

North and South Blocks, New Delhi does not only have majestic exteriors but the interiors are also exquisite with some well maintained paintings depicting themes like justice, war and peace. The South Block has paintings of different Indian cities and emblems of old kingdoms.

North and South Block with the Rashtrapati Bhawan remains floodlit during some national festivals. Vijay Chowk is the venue for the Beating Retreat that takes place every year on the 29th of January. The nearby Jantar Mantar, India Gate, Gurudwara Bangla Sahiband the hanuman Mandir are some attractions for the tourist visiting here.

Although the North and South Block remains open on all days but prior official permission is required to visit and explore the place. Photography is restricted in the area and can be done with an official permission. It is a must see attraction for the tourists visiting Delhi.

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