Hall of Nations

Hall of Nations in 2008

The Hall of Nations was an iconic exhibition hall inaugurated in 1972 as part of the Pragati Maidan complex in New Delhi, India. It was built to commemorate 25 years of Indian independence[1].

Inaugurated by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for the India International Trade Fair called Asia 72, it was the world’s first and, at the time, the largest-span space-frame structure built in reinforced concrete.[2][3] The Hall of Nations comprised a group of four halls of varying sizes, interconnected by a system of ramps. They were designed by architect Raj Rewal, who was later bestowed with a Gold Medal by the Indian Institute of Architects in 1989.[4]

In 2017, the Hall of Nations was demolished, along with Halls 1 through 6 and 14 through 20, state pavilions, and neighbouring landmarks such as the Hall of Industries and the Nehru Pavilion, to make way for a new exhibition and convention center. This new complex, named Bharat Mandapam, stands on the site of the former Hall of Nations.[1][5]

The demolition of the Hall of Nations ignited significant public outcry and criticism from conservationists and the general public alike. Celebrated for its architectural innovation and historical significance, the Hall of Nations held a unique place in India’s modern architectural heritage. Its destruction by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) occurred while legal proceedings were still underway to determine its heritage status[6].

  1. ^ a b "Delhi's iconic Hall of Nations demolished". 24 April 2017.
  2. ^ "The Demolition of Delhi's Hall of Nations Reveals India's Broken Attitude to Architectural Heritage". Arch Daily. 23 June 2017.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference moma was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Why these buildings were reduced to rubble in 2017". Style. CNN. 5 February 2018.
  5. ^ Sayer, Jason (27 April 2017). "Pragati Maidan: India flattens its iconic Hall of Nations building in New Delhi". The Architect's Newspaper.
  6. ^ Maanvi (26 April 2017). "Losing A Heritage: A History of Pragati Maidan's 'Hall of Nations'". TheQuint. Retrieved 18 November 2024.