Palace of Assembly, Chandigarh - Revision history

Mdraselsarker: general improve references for clarity and improved wording

2023-07-27T13:16:42Z

general improve references for clarity and improved wording

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-| image = Palace of Assembly Chandigarh 2007.jpg
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-| architect = [[Le Corbusier]]
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2A00:23C4:7702:7E01:7D91:159C:A829:A136: Spelling (InE)

2021-01-27T13:57:09Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}{{Infobox building
| image = Palace of Assembly Chandigarh 2007.jpg
| architect = [[Le Corbusier]]
| completion_date = 1962
| start_date = 1951
| inauguration_date = April 15, 1964
| map_type = India Chandigarh
| embedded = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = World Heritage Site
| designation1_offname = [[The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement]]
| designation1_date = July 17, 2016
| designation1_number = 1321rev
}}
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| location = [[Chandigarh]]
| location_country = {{flag|India}}
}}

The '''Palace of Assembly''' is a legislative assembly building in [[Chandigarh]], [[India]]. It was designed by modernist architect [[Le Corbusier]].<ref name="gua">{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Burke |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2011/mar/07/chandigarh-le-corbusier-heritage-site |title=Le Corbusier's Indian masterpiece Chandigarh is stripped for parts | Art and design |work=The Guardian |date=7 March 2011 |accessdate=2013-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Conserving-Le-Corbusiers-heritage-comes-into-focus/articleshow/576101.cms? |title=Conserving Le Corbusier's heritage comes into focus |work=The Times Of India |date=23 March 2004 |accessdate=2014-09-16 }}</ref> It is part of the [[Chandigarh Capital Complex|Capitol Complex]], which includes the Legislative Assembly, [[Secretariat Building (Chandigarh)|Secretariat]] and [[Punjab and Haryana High Court|High Court]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Khushboo |last=Sandhu |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/capitol-complex-as-le-corbusier-wanted-it/635844/ |title=Capitol Complex, as Le Corbusier wanted it, remains incomplete |work=Indian Express |date=19 June 2010 |accessdate=2013-07-02}}</ref> The Palace of Assembly features a circular assembly chamber, a forum for conversation and transactions, and stair-free circulation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.archdaily.com/155922/ad-classics-palace-of-the-assembly-le-corbusier/|title=AD Classics: Palace of the Assembly / Le Corbusier|date=2011-08-10|website=ArchDaily|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-29}}</ref>

The building was designated as a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] in 2016.<ref name="UNESCO1">[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/buddha-bihar-nalanda-mahavihara-unesco-world-heritage-site-chandigarh/1/717209.html Tile: UNESCO approves all 3 Indian nominations for heritage tag, Publisher: India Today news, Published on: 18 July 2016, Accessed on: 18 July 2016]</ref><ref>{{cite news | date=15 July 2016 | agency=UNESCO World Heritage Centre | accessdate=15 July 2016 | language=en | url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1524 | title=Four sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List | work=whc.unesco.org}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Palace of Assembly, Chandigarh.jpg|thumb|View of the building]]
After the [[Partition of India#Punjab|partition of Punjab]] in 1947 following the [[independence of India]], the divided [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] required a new capital to replace [[Lahore]], which was now in Pakistan. [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] commissioned Le Corbusier to build a new city for the capital of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]. This city would become [[Chandigarh]]. Nehru desired that the city's design be "unfettered by the traditions of the past, a symbol of the nation's faith in the future". Subsequently, Corbusier and his team designed not just a large assembly and high court building, but all major buildings in the city, down to the door handles in public offices.<ref name="gua" /> Construction of the Palace of Assembly began in 1951 and ended 11 years later in 1962. The building was inaugurated on 15 April, 1964.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nmXS12Lo0xMC&pg=PA233&dq=palace+of+assembly+le+corbusier&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiok6jnh5XkAhUGPa0KHZVaAi4Q6AEwAHoECAUQAg#v=onepage&q=palace%20of%20assembly%20le%20corbusier&f=false|title=The Le Corbusier Guide|last=Gans|first=Deborah|last2=Corbusier|first2=Le|date=2000|publisher=Princeton Architectural Press|isbn=9781568981192|language=en}}</ref>

Today, many of the buildings in Chandigarh are considered modernist masterpieces, though most are in a state of neglect. In 2010, chairs from the assembly building were auctioned in London. A diplomatic attempt to stop the sale failed, as the items were "condemned" and deemed unfit for use.<ref name="gua" />

== Design ==
=== Entrance ===
[[File:Corbu's Door Palace of Assembly.jpg|thumb|Entrance with set of doors painted by Le Corbusier]]
Le Corbusier wanted to include an assembly door. He consulted with Prime Minister Nehru for symbols that could be depicted on the door to represent the new India and its modern vision. Nehru, in turn, entrusted Le Corbusier to invent them himself.<ref name="spectrum" />

The door is adorned with vibrant colours and is divided into upper and lower halves. The upper half depicts man's relationship with the cosmos and includes imagery representing [[solstice]]s, [[lunar eclipse]]s and the [[Equinox]]. The lower half is populated with animals and natural forms. A desert depicts the original order of the Earth, while greenery represents the [[Garden Of Eden]]. The door also displays a river, trees, bulls and turtles, and the proverbial [[Tree of the knowledge of good and evil|Tree of Knowledge]] in the centre of the door bears fruits of knowledge.<ref name="spectrum">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130609/spectrum/main1.htm|title=The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=2019-05-29}}</ref> The nearly 25 square foot door, with its enamelled panels, was airlifted from Paris.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

This entrance is opened on certain ceremonial occasions.<ref name="spectrum" />

=== Interior layout ===
Le Corbusier believed that "architecture is circulation", and the Palace of Assembly is designed to encourage the movement of people and ideas. High ceilings and narrow columns make the space feel expansive, and ramps replace stairs to provide fluid transitions between levels. The General Assembly itself is circular - a literal interpretation of Le Corbusier's belief - and is off-centre within the space, challenging neoclassical architecture's focus on organization.<ref>{{Google books|id=qZV3BgAAQBAJ|title=The Le Corbusier Guide|page=171}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Chandigarh assembly building 02.JPG|View of the building from the adjacent plaza
File:View of the surrounding from the corridor of legislative assembly.jpg|View of the pool from an outdoor corridor
File:Corridor of legislative assembly.jpg|Architectural motifs
File:Hyperbole Palace of Assembly.jpg|Roofline of building with hyperbolic tower visible
File:Assembly Building Chandigarh.jpg|Night view of Assembly
</gallery>

==References==
{{Commons category |Palace of Assembly (Chandigarh)}}
{{reflist}}

{{coord|30.7573|N|76.8066|E|source:wikidata|display=title}}

{{Le Corbusier}}
[[Category:Le Corbusier buildings in India]]
[[Category:Government buildings completed in 1953]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Chandigarh]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Chandigarh]]
[[Category:Legislative buildings in India]]