Rashtrapati Niwas, Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh India

Rashtrapati Niwas, Shimla, HimachalRashtrapati Niwas is a palatial building built near Summer Hill. Outside, it has sprawling lawns, a well-laid out garden, ancient trees and exotic flowers, inside it has wooden paneling with Burma teak. It is resplendent with India's colonial history.

The Rashtrapati Niwas or Viceregal Lodge as it was known during the British Raj is a Jacobethan style manor designed by Henry Irvin in the 1880s. It was then the residence of the Viceroys and Governer Generals of India when the Government shifted to the hill station of Shimla during the hot Indian summer months. After Independance the lodge became the residence of the President of India till S Radhakrishnan the 2nd President of India granted it to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.

 The summer capital of British India was of little use to the President of India who visited it only for a few days in the year, if at all. Professor S.Radhakrishnan thought of putting it to academic use. The Rashtrapati Nivas Estate was transferred to the Ministry of Education to be handed over to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. The C.P.W.D., the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and the Himachal Pradesh University were allowed in due course to use some of its buildings but the bulk of the Estate, including its well kept lawns and rich glass-house, has remained in use for the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.

Viceregal LodgeOne of the most famous landmarks of Shimla, the Viceregal Lodge situated on the Observatory Hill and also known as the Rashtrapati Niwas now. The building lies at a distance of just 2 km from the Himachal State Museum. Built in 1888, this massive edifice stands surrounded by tall pine trees and once served as the residence of Viceroy Lord Dufferin. Viceregal Lodge is the only building of Shimla that occupies an entire hill by itself. Presently, it is being used by the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS).

Built in the style of the mansions of barons in Scotland, the monument was designed by the architect of the Public Works Department of the colonial government, known as Henry Irvine. The entrance opening to South leads one to the reception hall, which stands adorned by a splendid fireplace and a grand spiraling staircase. The building has six stories and it is said that all the bricks used for construction of the building were brought here on mules.

The teak paneled gallery of the Viceregal Lodge leads to the state drawing room, ballroom and the wood-paneled dining room that displays the coats of arms of the former Governor-Generals and Viceroys. The lower levels of the house open into the sprawling lawns, while upper floors offer panoramic views of snow-capped mountains and bewitching sunsets and sunrises.

Even in 1888, Viceregal Lodge had electric lights and an indoor tennis court along with other important amenities, such as enormous kitchens, wine cellar, laundry, hot and cold running water in bathrooms as well as boilers for central heating. Lavish parties were organized by the Viceroy, during that time, to entertain the royal princes and nawabs.