Jaipur Column
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Jaipur_Column_at_Rashtrapati_Bhavan%2C_New_Delhi.jpg/250px-Jaipur_Column_at_Rashtrapati_Bhavan%2C_New_Delhi.jpg)
TheJaipur Columnis amonumental columnin the middle of the courtyard in front ofRashtrapati Bhavan,the presidential residence inNew Delhi,Delhi,India. In 1912Madho Singh II,theMaharaja of Jaipur,offered to sponsor its construction to commemorate the 1911Delhi Durbarand the transfer of the capital ofIndiafromCalcuttatoNew Delhi.[1]
The column was designed by the architectSir Edwin Lutyens.In 1920, Lutyens submitted his design for the column to theRoyal Academy of Artsin London, as hisdiploma workfor his election as a fellow of the academy. The structure was completed in 1930, it was contracted bySir Sobha Singh.[1]
The column is predominantly made of cream sandstone, with red sandstone used for the base. At the top there is an egg surmounted by a bronzelotus flowerand a six-pointed glass star. These are supported by a steel shaft running through the column's entire length.[1]Different sources give the height as 145 feet (44 m)[2]or 148 feet (45 m).[1]
There arebas-reliefsaround the base, designed by the British sculptorCharles Sargeant Jagger.[1]Jagger also designed the elephants carved into the walls around the courtyard,[3]as well as the statue ofGeorge V, Emperor of Indiawhich formerly stood under the canopy next toIndia Gate.[1]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Jaipur_Column_at_Rashtrapati_Bhavan.jpg/220px-Jaipur_Column_at_Rashtrapati_Bhavan.jpg)
On the base there is an inscription, with wording supplied byLord Irwin,theViceroy of India:[4]
- In thought faith
- In word wisdom
- In deed courage
- In life service
- So may India be great
This was a modification of the wording originally proposed by Lutyens:[4]
- Endow your thought with faith
- Your deed with courage
- Your life with sacrifice
- So all men may know
- The greatness of India
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An egg surmounted by a bronze lotus flower and a six-pointed glassStar of India emblem
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The first stones were led by The king Emperor George The Fifth and his consort Queen Mary on the 15 December 1911
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Bas-reliefs around the base showing the coat of arms of the Emperor of India, designed by the British sculptorCharles Sargeant Jagger
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As per writeup on the column-Madho Singh II,theMaharaja of Jaipur,offered to sponsor its construction to commemorate the 1911Delhi Durbarand the transfer of the capital ofIndiafromCalcuttato Delhi
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- Amery, Colin; Richardson, Margaret;Stamp, Gavin(1981).Lutyens: The Work of the English Architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869–1944).London:Arts Council of Great Britain.ISBN0-7287-0304-1.
- de Bruyn, Pippa; Bain, Keith; Allardice, David; Joshi, Shonar (2010).Frommer's India.Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.ISBN978-0-470-55610-8.
- Singh, Khushwant;Rai, Raghu(1983).Delhi: a portrait.Delhi: Delhi Tourism Development Corporation.ISBN0195614372.