Unveiling Hybridity: Colonial Architecture Re-mapped in Delhi, India

Moumita Sarker Moon, Rajiv Mandal

Abstract: Delhi, India's historic and ever-changing capital, is a fascinating tapestry of architectural styles reflecting its rich past. This study dives into the often-overlooked legacy of colonial-era architecture in Delhi, questioning Eurocentric interpretations and emphasising the city's unique combination of Eastern and Western influences. The research investigates how colonial architects worked with existing Mughal and Indian building traditions, moving beyond the mainstream narrative of Victorian-era impositions. The research demonstrates an inventive combination of components such as chhatris, jalis, and grand colonnades by analysing significant structures like as the renowned Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Lutyens' Bungalow Zone. This architectural hybridity goes beyond mere mimicry, displaying an intriguing interplay between colonial authority and indigenous cultural expression. Furthermore, the research investigates how colonial Delhi's spatial layout, with its radial roads and intimidating government buildings, worked as a mechanism for demonstrating imperial power. It also contends that this urban landscape cannot be understood exclusively as a symbol of Western domination. The research reveals how Indians subverted and reinterpreted the imposed architecture, imbuing it with their own meanings and purposes, by examining people's daily lives and the use of colonial places for local business and pleasure. Finally, this article argues for a more nuanced interpretation of colonial architecture in Delhi, one that goes beyond basic concepts of cultural imposition and embraces the intricate interaction of power, resistance, and adaptability. We may get a greater appreciation for this unique architectural chapter in Delhi's rich history by recognising the agency of both British architects and the Indian population.

Keywords: Indo saracenic architecture, colonial era, amalgamation, urban landscape, British raj

How to Cite?: Moumita Sarker Moon, Rajiv Mandal, "Unveiling Hybridity: Colonial Architecture Re-mapped in Delhi, India", Volume 14 Issue 9, September 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 389-393, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25909123012, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25909123012