GK: This President Refused To Live In Rashtrapati Bhavan, Closed 330 Rooms Upon Moving In – News18

Last Updated:January 28, 2025, 10:40 IST

Dr Rajendra Prasad was reluctant to live in the 340-room Viceroy House due to his principle of simplicity as well as cost concerns. Persuaded by Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he moved in on January 26, 1950

Located in the heart of the national capital, the Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India. Designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, it was completed in 1929 and initially named ‘Viceroy House’. The sprawling residence has a total floor area of 340,000 square feet, with 340 rooms, including 56 bedrooms, 31 bathrooms, and 11 dining rooms.

Common people have long been fascinated by the luxurious expanses of the Rashtrapati Bhavan which is open to public tours on weekdays. But do you know that India’s first President Dr Rajendra Prasad had initially refused to move in; and when he did, he promptly closed 330 of the rooms!

Dr Prasad’s Objection Opulence

Dr Prasad’s appointment as the nation’s first President was widely anticipated. Having served as the Agriculture Minister in Nehru’s first cabinet and as the President of the Constituent Assembly, his elevation to the highest office was seen as a natural progression. While speculation about potential candidates, including C Rajagopalachari, had been circulating since April 1949, Rajendra Prasad’s selection was confirmed in the final session of the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950, just two days before India became a republic

So, when India attained Republic status on January 26, 1950, Rajendra Prasad was appointed as its first President.

Dr Prasad harboured a deep-seated aversion to the opulent Viceroy House, the former residence of the British Viceroy. He had long advocated for renaming the building Rashtrapati Bhavan, a change that he implemented upon assuming office.

The sheer scale of the four-storeyed building, encompassing 330 acres, represented luxury and extravagance, concepts that conflicted with Rajendra Prasad’s principles of simplicity and humility. Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings, he believed in leading a modest life, closely connected with the people. Residing in Rashtrapati Bhavan, in his view, would create a disconnect between him and the citizens he served.

The exorbitant cost of maintaining Rashtrapati Bhavan further fuelled his opposition. He argued that the resources allocated for its upkeep could be better utilized elsewhere. Consequently, he requested a smaller, less ostentatious residence befitting his ideals.

Plan To Convince Dr Prasad

The then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and other prominent Congress figures explained the rationale behind Rashtrapati Bhavan’s designation as the President’s residence to Dr Prasad. They emphasised its ceremonial importance, security protocols, and suitability for hosting dignitaries, ultimately persuading a hesitant Rajendra Prasad to take up residence on January 26, 1950.

Dr Prasad’s Moves In But…

Upon moving in, Rajendra Prasad took immediate steps to curtail the palace’s extravagance. He ordered the closure of most of the rooms, retaining only two for personal use and eight for accommodating foreign guests. His actions were driven by a desire to shed the vestiges of British colonialism and promote a more austere image.

A staunch vegetarian, Rajendra Prasad banned the preparation of non-vegetarian food in the kitchen. He eschewed dining chairs and tables, opting instead to eat cross-legged on a stool, a testament to his simple lifestyle.

Dr Prasad Not The First Or Last To Object

Interestingly, C Rajagopalachari, during his tenure as the first Governor General of India, had also expressed reservations about residing in the grand residence. He deemed it an unnecessary extravagance for a nation’s leader and proposed utilising the Mughal Garden and vacant land for cultivating wheat and potatoes. He also raised concerns about the substantial workforce of nearly 2,000 employees, a number comparable to the British Viceroy’s era, and the exorbitant expenses incurred.

Years later, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, upon assuming the presidency, shared similar sentiments. He opposed the lavishness and royal traditions associated with Rashtrapati Bhavan, deeming it incompatible with the values of a developing country like India. Reddy, too, desired a simpler residence and explored alternative uses for the sprawling complex. However, bureaucratic explanations regarding security, the dignity of the President’s office, and the costs associated with constructing a new residence eventually convinced him to reside in Rashtrapati Bhavan.