| |
The birth of the new Indian nation on August 15th, 1947 created a capital that while the inheritor of a rich cultural and architectural legacy had no significant history of recent foreign representation. Positioning itself as a leader in South Asia, India sought to establish diplomatic relations with capitals on all continents, inviting friendly nations to cement ties by establishing missions in New Delhi. Independence brought with it the creation of a large civil service, partition, a massive influx of displaced people from newly created Pakistan. Accommodation was scarce for all, including the ever-increasing number of foreign governments seeking domicile in the Indian capital. The diplomatic enclave in Chanakyapuri, established in the early 1950s on yet undeveloped land just south of the Presidential Palace, Rashtrapati Bhawan, was conceived as part of the solution and generous allocations were made to countries based on personal, historical and political relationships. It was a rare and often, first-time opportunity for sending states to create unique, purpose-built diplomatic missions on territory reserved exclusively for their use. Following the lead of the Apostolic Nunciature in 1955, more than 50 embassies from Africa, the Americas, Australasia and Europe have established themselves in Chanakyapuri since, 16 have remained either as Chanceries, Residences or Chancery-cum- Residences in the bungalow zone of the former Imperial Capital. Together, they account for close to half of the buildings for the world`s second largest bilateral diplomatic corps.
Delhi`s Diplomatic Domains offers for the first time a glimpse beyond the gates of over 40 of New Delhi`s purpose-built and heritage property foreign missions. Through archival material, anecdotal accounts, photographs and maps, the history of their establishment, historical relationships with India, as well as the architecture, interiors and landscaping of these diplomatic domains are revealed.
ISBN - 9788176212557
|
| |
Pages : 248
|