Two thrones were also installed for the Viceroy and his wife. The President’s Chair later replaced them and a 5th-century Buddha statue now stands behind it. The book says, “Although fundamentally the same, the room has changed subtly in its purport. The designs for the canopy under which the throne rests remain unchanged… After Independence a new throne with symbols of the Indian republic was placed here instead.”
What is the history of the Ashok Hall?
 The Ashok Hall. (PTI photo)
‘Ashok Hall’ was originally a ballroom. It is now used for the presentation of credentials by Heads of Missions of foreign countries and as a formal place of introductions for the visiting and Indian delegations before the commencement of the State Banquets hosted by the President. A loft-like space is used for playing the national anthem during important functions.
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Six Belgian chandeliers hang from the ceiling and various paintings adorn the room. One painting gifted by Fath Ali Shah, the second of seven Qajar rulers of Persia, shows him hunting a tiger. Italian artist Tomasso Colonnello, with the help of 23 Indian artists, was enlisted to extend the forest theme to the rest of the room.
“Four more hunting scenes along with inscriptions in Persian were added to beautify the Ashok Hall’s ceiling. The walls of the hall portray a royal procession and while the ceilings were painted directly, the walls were done on huge hung canvasses,” the website states.
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The mix of architectural influences is visible here, too. The book says that two fireplaces in the ballroom were inspired by Victorian designs. “However, these ornate floral fireplaces bear Persian inscriptions; ‘Khudavandi ke arso kursi afrdkt; Twanad Kudratas kasre chinsdkt’ (God, who has created the throne. His might can also create the palace), and ‘Be in raunako zebuzinat makdn; Nadlde beruye zamin dsmdn’ (A beatitiful building like this cannot be seen anywhere on earth or in the sky).”