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Kapurthala House
Kapurthala House
Kapurthala House
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28°36′21″N 77°13′25″E / 28.605873°N 77.223630°E / 28.605873; 77.223630 Kapurthala House is the former residence of the Maharaja of the Kapurthala princely state. The building is located close to Connaught Place in Delhi.[1]

Key Information

It is in close proximity to 'The Chambers-Taj', Motilal Nehru Marg and Aurangzeb Road. It is used by the Government of Punjab and is the residence of the Chief Minister whenever they visit the national capital.[1]

History

[edit]

Kapurthala House was commissioned in 1603 by the Ahluwalia rulers of Kapurthala as their Delhi capital residence and completed in 1611, under Maharaja Paramjit Singh.[2] After Indian Independence, the property was requisitioned under the Delhi Premises (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1947, on 17 June 1950, and formally taken over by the Government of India on 4 December 1950 for ₹1.5 lakh.[3] In August 2019, the Delhi High Court upheld the Punjab Government’s title to the building, confirming its continued use as the official residence for the state’s chief minister when in New Delhi.[4]

Architecture

[edit]

Kapurthala House is a two‑storey mansion encompasses 66 rooms over approximately 11,000 sq ft, laid out around a central courtyard and approached via a broad, colonnaded veranda. Its design draws on French Renaissance forms, evident in the steeply pitched hipped roofs, dormered attic windows, and quoined corners, blended with Indo‑Colonial elements such as deep overhanging eaves and jharokha style balconies.[2] Constructed of lime‑mortar brick and finished with plastered facades, the building originally featured marble floors, carved wooden doors, and imported wrought‑iron balustrades. several elevators (now numbered five) were later installed to serve its upper level when repurposed for government use.[4]

References

[edit]
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Kapurthala House

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from Grokipedia
Kapurthala House is a historic mansion in , , built in 1935 as the capital residence of the of the of during the . Located at No. 3, Mansingh Road near , the building exemplifies princely opulence with its spacious lawns, grand halls, and palatial design intended for royal sojourns in the imperial capital. Following 's independence and the merger of princely states, the property was requisitioned by the central government in 1950 but retained by the state through legal battles, establishing it as an enduring asset of the administration. Today, it functions primarily as the official residence for the and of , hosting official stays and high-profile events while symbolizing the state's historical ties to its Ahluwalia rulers. The house's significance lies in its role as one of several princely embassies-turned-state properties in , reflecting the transition from colonial-era royal enclaves to modern governmental use amid post-partition asset disputes.

Location and Description

Site and Surroundings

Kapurthala House occupies the site at 3, Man Singh Road in central , , within the prestigious administrative and commercial district originally planned by British architect . The building stands on a plot integrated into the grid of wide avenues and low-rise structures characteristic of , designed for governmental and elite residential use during the colonial period. The immediate surroundings feature a mix of official establishments and hospitality venues, including the nearby Punjab Government Guest House and the luxury Taj Mahal Hotel (now operating as The Chambers), situated along the same arterial route. To the east lies , the iconic All India War Memorial approximately 1 kilometer away, marking the approach to the ceremonial boulevard. The site benefits from its position adjacent to , facilitating connectivity to broader infrastructure like the Pragati Maidan exhibition complex and key diplomatic enclaves. Northward, the property borders the bustling Connaught Place, a Georgian-style circular market and business center developed in the 1930s, encompassing retail outlets, offices, and colonial-era edifices such as the Statesman House. This proximity situates Kapurthala House amid high-density urban activity, with heightened security measures typical of properties hosting state officials, while the surrounding tree-lined avenues provide a semblance of green buffer amid the concrete expanse of the national capital.

Physical Specifications

Kapurthala House spans a total of 11,000 square feet and contains 66 rooms, configured as a multi-story residential structure originally designed for princely occupancy. The layout accommodates extensive interior space suitable for official and guest functions, with provisions including multiple elevators to facilitate vertical movement across levels. Its construction employs durable typical of early 20th-century elite Delhi residences, though specific material compositions such as stone facades or interior finishes remain undocumented in primary architectural records. The building's footprint emphasizes functional grandeur, prioritizing room count and accessibility over expansive grounds, reflecting the constrained urban plotting of its era.

Historical Background

Construction and Early Ownership

Kapurthala House was constructed in 1935 as the of the of in . The building served primarily as the princely state's capital outpost during the , reflecting the Maharaja's status and need for a presence in the imperial capital. Ownership remained with the ruling Ahluwalia dynasty of Kapurthala, led at the time by until his death in 1949, after which his son Paramjit Singh briefly held titular authority. On January 10, 1950, Maharaja Paramjit Singh sold the property via registered deed to Radheshyam Makhanilal Seksaria for ₹1.5 lakh. The Indian government requisitioned the house under the Delhi Premises (Requisition and Acquisition) Act on June 17, 1950, taking physical possession from Seksaria on December 4, 1950, amid post-independence consolidations of princely assets. This marked the end of private royal control, transitioning it toward public use.

Role in Princely Kapurthala State

Kapurthala House served as the official residence of the of during the princely state's interactions with British authorities in . Constructed around , it provided lodging for the ruling Ahluwalia family, particularly Jagatjit Singh (r. 1877–1949), enabling proximity to the imperial government for administrative consultations, treaty discussions, and ceremonial events such as durbars. This setup mirrored the functions of other princely residences in the capital, acting as a to facilitate the state's semi-autonomous status under British paramountcy while maintaining loyalty to . The house supported the Maharaja's diplomatic engagements, including representation at key political gatherings and negotiations over state revenues, military contributions, and territorial matters, as Kapurthala spanned approximately 1,653 square kilometers in . Its location near Connaught Place enhanced accessibility to viceregal offices, underscoring the strategic importance of such properties for princely rulers navigating colonial oversight. Until India's independence in 1947, when the state acceded to the Union, Kapurthala House remained integral to the dynasty's centralized authority and ceremonial prestige.

Transition to Post-Independence Era

Following the accession of to the Dominion of on August 15, 1947, the was integrated into the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) on July 15, 1948, alongside other Punjab s including , , and Faridkot. , the last ruling Maharaja of Kapurthala, died on June 19, 1949, marking the end of direct royal oversight amid the broader dissolution of princely privileges under the Indian Constitution's provisions for privy purses and state mergers. Kapurthala House in , the former Delhi residence of the Kapurthala Maharajas, faced immediate post-independence pressures including property requisitions to support national administrative needs. On June 17, 1950, the requisitioned the property under Section 3 of the Delhi Premises (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, transitioning it from private royal use to and effectively severing it from family control. This requisition aligned with widespread of princely assets in urban centers like , where such residences were repurposed for government functions rather than retained as hereditary entitlements. By the early 1950s, as PEPSU integrated into the reorganized state of in 1956, Kapurthala House was allocated to the government, serving initially as an administrative outpost and later as the official residence for 's during Delhi visits. Family members, such as Rajkumari (a Kapurthala princess and India's first Health Minister from 1947 to 1957), leveraged the property for transitional initiatives, including establishing a medical clinic there to address post-Partition refugee needs. Subsequent legal affirmations, including a 2019 ruling rejecting claims by the late Maharaja's heirs to sell the property, underscored the irrevocable shift to state ownership, reflecting the era's emphasis on consolidating national resources over feudal legacies.

Architectural Characteristics

Design Influences and Style

Kapurthala House exemplifies architectural influences, characterized by its adoption of classical European forms adapted to the princely residence context in colonial . This stylistic choice stems from the personal inclinations of (r. –1947), whose commissions frequently incorporated French motifs, as evidenced by the Jagatjit Palace in , which emulated Versailles with mansard roofs and ornate detailing. The design prioritizes symmetry and grandeur typical of revivalism, including steeply pitched hipped roofs and quoined corners that evoke 16th-century French châteaux, though integrated into a two-storey suited to Delhi's urban setting. Such elements underscore the maharaja's cosmopolitan vision, blending imported with functional adaptations for India's and princely protocol, without overt Indo-Saracenic fusions seen in other regional buildings. This French-oriented style distinguishes Kapurthala House among Delhi's princely lodges, many of which favored British colonial or Mughal-inspired designs, highlighting the ruler's deliberate departure toward Continental elegance amid the Raj's architectural eclecticism.

Notable Structural Features

Kapurthala House is constructed as a two-storey mansion encompassing 66 rooms within a total floor area of approximately 11,000 square feet. The structure is organized around a central courtyard, a layout typical of traditional Indian residential architecture adapted for princely use in an urban setting. Access to the building is facilitated by a broad veranda supported by columns, providing a transitional space that aligns with the mansion's formal entrance along Mansingh Road. The design incorporates elements inspired by , reflecting the cultural affinities of the Kapurthala rulers who maintained close ties with during the princely era. This stylistic influence manifests in symmetrical facades and proportional detailing, distinguishing it from contemporaneous colonial structures in the vicinity.

Modern Utilization

Official Government Role

Kapurthala House, located at 3 Mansingh Road in , functions as the official residence of the of during visits to the national capital. The property has been under the possession of the Government of since 1950, serving primarily for official stays and related governmental activities by the state's executive head. In 2019, the ruled in favor of the government retaining control, dismissing claims that sought to reallocate the building and affirming its continued use as the Chief Minister's residence. This role underscores the house's integration into Punjab's administrative framework in Delhi, facilitating proximity to central government institutions for policy discussions and coordination. While primarily residential for the Chief Minister, it has hosted official events tied to state governance, though its core function remains tied to executive accommodation rather than broader office operations. The Government of Punjab maintains the property exclusively for these purposes, with no allocation to other entities.

Recent Political and Public Events

On January 30, 2025, a team from the , accompanied by , conducted a search at Kapurthala House, the official residence of , ahead of the Assembly elections. The raid targeted alleged violations of the , though AAP leaders described it as a politically motivated action by the BJP-led central government, claiming no incriminating evidence was found and accusing the BJP of similar infractions like money distribution. Mann himself stated on social media that the search yielded nothing substantive, framing it as an attempt to distract from opposition activities. In April 2025, Kapurthala House hosted the wedding of Harshita Kejriwal, daughter of AAP national convener and former Chief Minister , to Sambhav Jain, an IIT- alumnus, on April 19. The low-key ceremony, attended by Mann and his wife, drew criticism from BJP and leaders for repurposing a as a private venue, with Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar sarcastically dubbing it a "marriage palace of eminence" and questioning the appropriateness of such use. This event followed a pattern of high-profile personal functions at the residence, amplifying debates over the demarcation between official and private utilization of state assets. These incidents underscored Kapurthala House's role in contemporary -Delhi political dynamics, particularly amid AAP's governance challenges and inter-party rivalries, though no further major public events were reported through October 2025.

Controversies and Significance

Allegations of Misuse

In April 2025, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar criticized the use of Kapurthala House, the official residence of Punjab , for hosting the wedding of (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal's daughter, Harshita Kejriwal, to Sambhav Jain, describing it as transforming the property into a "marriage of eminence." Jakhar highlighted this as the second such high-profile private event at the venue, following AAP MP Chadha's pre-wedding ceremonies there prior to his 2023 to actor , questioning the propriety of utilizing a government-owned heritage property for personal family functions typically reserved for official purposes. Congress leaders echoed these concerns, slamming Mann for permitting the Kejriwal wedding at the site, arguing it exemplified misuse of public assets by the AAP-led government for the benefit of party affiliates. Critics from opposition parties contended that such events undermine the distinction between official and private use, potentially violating norms on the allocation of state resources, though no formal investigations or legal rulings have substantiated claims of financial impropriety or policy breaches as of October 2025. Separately, in 2025, ahead of Delhi assembly elections, a via the Commission's cVIGIL app alleged distribution for voter inducement originating from Kapurthala House, prompting a visit by EC flying squad officials and to verify compliance with the . The EC clarified that no search or raid occurred, with the departing without incident after finding no evidence, while AAP accused the action of being politically motivated harassment by opponents misusing electoral machinery; Punjab Leader of Opposition later urged an probe into broader AAP government fund diversions potentially linked to such activities, but no direct misuse of the property itself was confirmed. These episodes reflect partisan disputes, with allegations primarily advanced by BJP and figures opposing the AAP administration, absent independent corroboration of systemic abuse.

Broader Historical and Cultural Impact

Kapurthala House, built in 1935 in , embodies the architectural style favored by the Francophile of , extending the state's Indo-European design fusion—evident in structures like the Moorish Mosque and palaces back home—into the national capital. This style, introduced by during his extensive European travels starting in 1893, symbolized princely modernization and cultural cosmopolitanism under British paramountcy. As one of approximately 34 plots allocated to princely states between 1920 and 1940 for residences serving as embassies, the house facilitated diplomatic interactions during events like the , underscoring the semi-autonomous status of states like within the empire. Following India's independence in , the property's transfer to state control and retention by the government after legal disputes in highlight its role in preserving regional princely legacies amid centralization, providing a venue for 's executive presence in . It houses suites for the and , enabling ongoing state-center coordination on issues like and , thus influencing federal dynamics rooted in pre-independence elite networks. The structure's association with the Ahluwalia dynasty, including figures like —daughter of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh's brother and India's first female Union Health Minister—links it to efforts, such as the establishment of AIIMS in 1956 under her tenure. Culturally, Kapurthala House sustains traditions of royal hospitality through hosting weddings and engagements of prominent families, as seen in events like the 2017 marriage of Nirvan Singh and the 2023 engagement of politician , blending Sikh Punjabi heritage with contemporary Indian elite practices. This usage perpetuates the dynasty's legacy of communal harmony—exemplified by Jagatjit Singh's construction of mosques and churches for Muslim and Christian subjects—fostering interfaith and intercultural dialogue in a diverse urban setting. By maintaining such sites amid urban development pressures, it contributes to Delhi's architectural heritage, educating on princely India's transition to republican governance without erasing historical patronage systems.

References

  1. https://thepatriot.in/culture/history/punjab-bigwigs-home-away-from-home-36210
  2. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/kapurthala-house-delhi-eci-aap-9833315/
  3. https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/kapurthala-house-to-stay-with-punjab-government-rules-delhi-high/story-LpuZsbqxYBkoZX3re6FfzH.html
  4. https://www.justdial.com/Delhi/Kapurthala-House-Near-Taj-Hotel-Near-Punjab-Government-Guest-House-India-Gate/011P110170_BZDET
  5. https://www.mappls.com/fbtc4c
  6. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144510336.pdf
  7. https://jatchiefs.com/dynasties/alhuwalia-dynasty-states/kapurthala/
  8. https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chandigarh/delhis-kapurthala-house-to-stay-with-punjab-govt-hc/articleshow/70579323.cms
  9. https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/kapurthala-house-to-stay-with-punjab-govt-delhi-hc/story-LpuZsbqxYBkoZX3re6FfzH.html
  10. https://historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2024/10/31/sardar-patel-integration-of-princely-states/
  11. https://www.peepultree.world/livehistoryindia/story/places/a-piece-of-paris-in-punjab
  12. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/delhi-s-kapurthala-house-remains-property-of-punjab-govt-delhi-hc-814395/
  13. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/Aug/08/punjab-govt-retains-kapurthala-house-2015864.html
  14. https://kapurthalatales.com/
  15. https://tehelka.com/delhis-kapurthala-house-remains-property-of-punjab-government/
  16. https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/a-19th-century-palace-in-punjab-that-borrowed-the-french-building-aesthetics-amin-jaffer/
  17. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/delhis-kapurthala-house-to-stay-with-punjab-govt-hc/articleshow/70579323.cms
  18. https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/delhi-hc-kapurthala-house-to-remain-under-possession-of-punjab-government-119080701988_1.html
  19. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/ec-officials-search-punjab-cm-bhagwant-manns-residence-in-delhi-claims-aap/
  20. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/raid-on-punjab-cm-s-delhi-house-vengeful-aap-leaders-101738257543081.html
  21. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/punjab-cm-bhagwant-mann-says-ec-team-searched-his-residence-in-delhi-but-bjp-leader-distributing-money/articleshow/117744555.cms
  22. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/kejriwals-daughter-weds-iit-d-mate-at-kapurthala-house-mann-wife-attend/
  23. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/kapurthala-house-now-marriage-palace-of-eminence-jakhars-dig-at-mann-post-kejriwal-daughters-wedding/
  24. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Apr/19/bjp-congress-slam-punjab-cm-bhagwant-mann-over-kejriwals-daughters-wedding-at-kapurthala-house
  25. https://www.babushahi.com/view-news.php?id=202641&headline=Use-of-Kapurthala-House-for-Kejriwal%25E2%2580%2599s-daughter%25E2%2580%2599s-wedding-raises-eyebrows
  26. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/ec-raid-punjab-cm-bhagwant-mann-delhi-house-aap-9808066/
  27. https://www.aninews.in/news/national/politics/delhi-ec-clarifies-on-alleged-raid-at-punjab-cms-kapurthala-residence-returning-officer-says-search-not-conducted20250130213701
  28. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/need-ed-probe-punjab-lop-partap-singh-bajwa-urges-governor-gulab-chand-kataria-alleges-aap-govt-misused-powercom-funds-for-delhi-polls/articleshow/118396609.cms
  29. https://kapurthala.gov.in/history/
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