India House, London

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the diplomatic mission in Aldwych, London. For the student residence in North London that existed between 1905 and 1910, see India House.
High Commission of India in London
London - India House High Commission of India (40412413273).jpg
AddressIndia House, Aldwych, London WC2B 4NA, United Kingdom
Jurisdiction United Kingdom
High CommissionerGaitri Issar Kumar
WebsiteOfficial website

The High Commission of India in London is the diplomatic mission of India in the United Kingdom.[1] It is located in India House on Aldwych, between Bush House, what was Marconi House (now Citibank) and Australia House.[2] It faces both the London School of Economics and King's College London.[3] Since 1981, India House is a Grade II listed building.[4]

History[]

In 1919, a committee chaired by the Marquess of Crewe determined there existed the need to separate the agency work of the India Office from its other political and administrative roles, and recommended the transfer of all such work to "a High Commissioner for India or some similar Indian Governmental Representative in London." It was also felt popular opinion in India would view this as a step towards full Dominion status for India.[5] The Government of India Act 1919 upheld the recommendations of the committee, making provision for "the appointment of a High Commissioner by His Majesty by Order in Council, which might delegate to the official any of the contractual powers of the Secretary of State [for India] in Council, and prescribe the conditions under which he should act on behalf of the Government of India or any Provincial Government."

On 13 August 1920 King-Emperor George V issued the required Order in Council. Until India became independent in 1947, the post was styled "High Commissioner for India". The first High Commissioner for India was Indian Civil Service officer Sir William Stevenson Meyer; the first of Indian origin was Sir Dadiba Merwanji Dalal. The High Commissioner enjoyed the same status as his counterparts from the British Dominions.[5] Upon Indian independence the post was given the present designation.

Proposed in 1925 by the Indian High Commissioner Sir Atul Chatterjee, the building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1930.[3] It was formally inaugurated on 8 July 1930 by the King-Emperor George V.[3]

A bust of Jawaharlal Nehru was unveiled by Prime Minister John Major in 1991.[3]

Decorations[]

There are twelve decorations on the outside of the building representing the various provinces of India (under the British Raj), described as follows:

Emblem Province Image
Tiger Bengal Indian Embassy in London wall plaque.jpg
Ship Bombay Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (5).jpg
Fort St George Madras Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (4).jpg
Fishes and bow and arrow United Provinces of Agra and Oudh Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (7).jpg
Sun and five rivers Punjab Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (6).jpg
Bo-tree and swastikas Bihar and Orissa Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (3).jpg
Snakes Central Provinces Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (1).jpg
Elephant Delhi India House, London 20130414 121 - Copy.jpg
Rhinoceros Assam India House, London 20130414 118 - Copy.jpg
Peacock Burma Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (2).jpg
Camels Baluchistan India House, London 20130414 119 - Copy.jpg
Moon and gateway North West Frontier India House, London 20130414 120 - Copy.jpg

[6]

See also[]

Gallery[]

  • The High Commission from India Place

  • Close-up of some designs

  • Bust of Jawaharlal Nehru on India Place

References[]

  1. ^ "The London Diplomatic List" (PDF). 14 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2013.
  2. ^ "The London Diplomatic List" (PDF). 14 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d "India House". 2 November 2013.
  4. ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1066491)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Chapter XV- The High Commissioner for India"
  6. ^ Mee, Arthur. The King's England London: The Classic Guide (2014 ed.). Amberley. p. 118.

External links[]

Coordinates: 51°30′45″N 0°07′06″W / 51.5124°N 0.1183°W / 51.5124; -0.1183

Retrieved from ""