Ar. Anil Badan, Founder and Principal Architect of Studio B Architects, observes that India did not start as a blank slate after becoming a republic. Cities, institutions, and buildings inherited from colonial rule formed the starting point for a new national identity. Rather than rejecting the past, architects transformed these structures into symbols of democratic confidence, blending history with a forward-looking vision. Every building, in this perspective, became a silent participant in the country’s journey toward self-governance.
Reclaiming Colonial Legacies
The transition from colonial to republican architecture was marked by reinterpretation rather than erasure. Rashtrapati Bhavan, originally the Viceroy’s House, illustrates this approach. By integrating Indian symbols such as the Ashoka Chakra and the Lion Capital of Sarnath, the building’s authority shifted from imperial dominance to constitutional dignity. According to Badan, this deliberate repurposing showed that India could confidently engage with its history while asserting its sovereign identity. It was a foundational gesture, communicating that the republic could evolve without discarding its inherited fabric.
The Nehruvian Modernist Turn
The early post-independence era embraced modernism as an architectural language to reflect progress, science, and national unity. Structures like Vigyan Bhavan and the Ashok Hotel were designed to express these ideals. Yet, modernism in India was never a wholesale import; it was contextualized. Buddhist simplicity, Mughal geometry, and climate-responsive strategies were woven into contemporary forms. For Badan, this integration demonstrated that modern architecture could carry both efficiency and cultural resonance, giving form to a republic that was simultaneously forward-looking and deeply rooted in its traditions.
Icons of Innovation and National Pride
Institutional architecture further exemplified India’s post-independence ambitions. Buildings such as the Palace of Assembly in Chandigarh and the now-demolished Hall of Nations in Delhi showcased technological confidence and creative structural solutions. The Hall of Nations, constructed with exposed concrete and innovative techniques, symbolized industrial and political self-belief. Its demolition, Badan reflects, is more than a physical loss; it underscores the fragility of architectural memory and the need to protect symbols of national progress in an era of rapid urban change.
Everyday Modernism and Participatory Architecture
While iconic monuments attract attention, Badan emphasizes that the democratic spirit of Indian architecture is most evident in everyday spaces. Railway colonies, public housing, government offices, and educational institutions were designed with functionality, accessibility, and human scale in mind. These structures served communities rather than merely impressing observers. Over time, citizens personalized and animated these spaces, making architecture participatory—mirroring democracy itself, where engagement and adaptation define value.
Buildings as Cultural Commitments
For Ar. Anil Badan, buildings are more than visual statements; they are enduring cultural commitments. Post-independence architecture shaped how citizens experienced governance, education, and community life. On Republic Day, he suggests, it is worth reflecting that India’s constitutional values are embedded not only in laws but also in the concrete, stone, and spatial arrangements of its cities. The nation’s architecture stands as a quiet yet powerful expression of its republican spirit—resilient, evolving, and deeply human.
Legacy and Reflection
Badan concludes that the architecture of post-independence India serves as a lesson for contemporary practice. By balancing inherited legacies, contextual modernism, and everyday utility, architects created a built environment that communicates identity, pride, and democratic ideals. These spaces continue to evolve with their users, reinforcing the idea that architecture, like the republic it represents, is a living, participatory, and enduring expression of collective values.
