New Delhi – The India International Centre (IIC) will host a thought-provoking talk titled “Designing Edifices for the Empire and Princely States: Foreign Architects in India at the Turn of the 20th Century” on 20 August 2025 at 6:00 PM in Conference Room II, New Delhi. Colonial-Era Foreign Architects in India
The session will explore the impact of foreign—largely British—architects in India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period that saw the consolidation of British presence in the subcontinent and the infusion of Western architectural thought. The talk will highlight renowned names such as Sir William Emerson, Robert Chisholm, Frederick Stevens, Sir Edwin Lutyens, Sir S. Jacob, and Sir Herbert Baker, whose works left a lasting imprint on India’s urban and cultural landscapes.
Speaker:
Rajesh Luthra – Architect, Urban Designer, Principal at Development Consortium, Visiting Faculty at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. Luthra is also a published writer and a consultant to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Colonial-Era Foreign Architects in India
Moderator:
Dr. Punita G. Singh – Acoustician, musicologist, linguist, editor, and educator, with teaching experience at Washington University (USA), McGill University (Canada), and Ashoka University (India).
The event will shed light on how colonial architecture not only served functional purposes but also reflected the socio-political narratives of the time, influencing city planning and the built environment in both imperial and princely domains.
Event Details:
- Date: 20 August 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Venue: Conference Room II, India International Centre, New Delhi
Architecture enthusiasts, students, and historians are encouraged to attend and engage in this deep dive into India’s architectural heritage.