Archive · 8 Jun 2025
Connaught Place: From Military Barracks to a Commercial Hub
Connaught Place, a famous commercial area in New Delhi, was once home to British soldiers.
The British chose this location for military barracks because it offered a good viewpoint.
Later, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker designed Connaught Place to be a shopping area, like those in London.
Construction began in the 1910s and 1920s, with the area officially opening in 1933.
Initially, it was for British officers and wealthy Indian merchants, but soon became a popular spot for everyone.
Connaught Place (CP) is a prominent commercial hub in New Delhi.
The area originally served as a strategic military outpost for the British.
British military barracks were located on a ridge for defense and surveillance.
Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker designed CP as a commercial center.
CP officially opened in 1933, becoming a hub for shops and offices.
- Who
- British soldiers, Sir Edwin Lutyens, Sir Herbert Baker, and Prince Arthur.
- What
- Connaught Place, a commercial hub, was built on a ridge that housed British military barracks.
- When
- Late 1800s-early 1900s (military), construction in 1910s-1920s, opened in 1933.
- Where
- Connaught Place, New Delhi.
- Why
- The British chose the ridge for military use due to its vantage point; later, it was transformed into a commercial center.
- Location
- New Delhi
- Original Use
- Early 20th Century
- Original Purpose
- British Military Barracks
- Architects
- Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker
- Construction Period
- 1913-1927
- Official Opening
- 1933
- Current Use
- Commercial Hub