Cochin House is the former residence of the

Maharaja of Cochin The kingdom of Cochin or the Cochin State, named after its capital in the city of Kochi (Cochin), was a kingdom in the central part of present-day Kerala state. It originated in the early part of the 12th century and continued to rule until i ...

in Delhi. It located at Jantar Mantar Road 3 in New Delhi’s Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone. It is also known as Cochin State Palace. It was originally known as "Vykunt". It was built between 1903 and 1011 by Punjabi contractor Sujan Singh Hadaliwale. It was later purchased in 1920 by H.H. Rama Varma, the

, to serve as his city residence during sessions of the

Chamber of Princes The Chamber of Princes (''Narendra Mandal'') was an institution established in 1920 by a royal proclamation of King-Emperor George V to provide a forum in which the rulers of the princely states of India could voice their needs and aspiration ...

. .After Indian independence, the building became property of the

Government of Kerala The Government of Kerala (abbreviated as GoK), also known as the Kerala Government, is the administrative body responsible for governing the Indian States and territories of India, state of Kerala. The government is led by a chief minister, who ...

and now functions as a part of the Kerala House complex, functioning as the office of the Resident Commissioner

History

Origins (1903–1911):The Cochin House was constructed between 1903 and 1911. It was Designed by British architect

Walter Sykes George Sir Walter Sykes George Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (1881 – 7 January 1962) was an English architect active in India during the first half of the 20th century, most known for being part of the team of architects who designed New Delhi ...

and constructed by Sujan Singh and his son

Sir Sobha Singh Magistrate, Honorary Magistrate, Sardar Bahadur, Sir Sobha Singh , Member of the Legislative Assembly, M.L.C., Member of parliament, M.P. (March 5, 1888 – 18 April 1978) was an Indian civil contractor, prominent builder and real estate develo ...

. The bungalow was known as Vaikund or Vyukunt and was part of the original New Delhi project that has the building of

Rashtrapati Bhavan The Rashtrapati Bhavan (, ISO: ''Rāṣṭrapati Bhavana''; ; formerly Viceroy's House (1931–1947) and Government House (1947–1950)) is the official residence of the President of the Republic of India at the western end of Rajpath, Rai ...

and the North and South Blocks. It was quired by the

to use for his durbar and princely functions during the

, founded by new British India constitution. It was then renamed as "Cochin State Palace". During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

the house hosted war offices and served as the office of the U.S. President’s Personal Representative from 1941 to 1943 in

British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance in South Asia. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one form or another ...

. After Independence, when Cochin joined with India Union, the house became state property of Kerala Government. It is today a part of the wider

Kerala House Kerala House is the official state mission of Government of Kerala at New Delhi. Each state of India has to maintain a statutory representative and state mission house in the capital to liaison with the Central Government on behalf of the state. ...

complex, which functions as an embassy of the state to the central government. In 2013, there were plans to renovate the building.

Architecture

Cochin House exemplifies early 20th-century Lutyens’ Delhi style, combining red brick and plastered facades with classical

porticoes A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cultu ...

and colonnaded

verandahs A veranda (also spelled verandah in Australian English, Australian and New Zealand English) is a roofed, open-air hallway or porch, attached to the outside of a building. A veranda is often partly enclosed by a handrail, railing and frequently ...

. The plan is roughly rectangular, with a central hall flanked by reception rooms and private chambers. Notable features include the symmetrical facade with a deep porch supported by Ionic columns. High ceilings and tall sash windows are designed, allowing for cross-ventilation in Delhi’s hot climate. Traditional

lime plaster Lime plaster is a type of plaster composed of sand, water, and lime, usually non-hydraulic hydrated lime (also known as slaked lime, high calcium lime or air lime). Ancient lime plaster often contained horse hair for reinforcement and pozzolan ...

walls and terrazzo flooring, consistent with period materials at that time period.

References

External links

{{commonscat-inline Royal residences in Delhi History of Kochi Kingdom of Cochin Government buildings in Delhi Government of Kerala

History

Architecture

See also

References

Further reading

External links