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India House, London facts for kids

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This page is about the diplomatic mission in Aldwych, London. For the student residence in North London that existed between 1905 and 1910, see India House.
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High Commission of India in London
London - India House High Commission of India (40412413273).jpg
Address India House, Aldwych, London WC2B 4NA, United Kingdom
Jurisdiction  United Kingdom
High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami
Website
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name: India House
Designated: 16 January 1981
Reference #: 1066491

The High Commission of India in London is the diplomatic mission of India in the United Kingdom. It is located in India House on Aldwych, between Bush House, what was Marconi House (now Citibank) and Australia House. It faces both the London School of Economics and King's College London. Since 1981, India House is a Grade II listed building.

History

In 1919, a committee chaired by the Marquess of Crewe determined there existed the need to separate the agency work of the India Office from its other political and administrative roles, and recommended the transfer of all such work to "a High Commissioner for India or some similar Indian Governmental Representative in London." It was also felt popular opinion in India would view this as a step towards full Dominion status for India. The Government of India Act 1919 upheld the recommendations of the committee, making provision for "the appointment of a High Commissioner by His Majesty by Order in Council, which might delegate to the official any of the contractual powers of the Secretary of State [for India] in Council, and prescribe the conditions, under which he should act on behalf of the Government of India or any Provincial Government."

On 13 August 1920, King-Emperor George V issued the required Order in Council. Until India became independent in 1947, the post was styled "High Commissioner for India". The first High Commissioner for India was Indian Civil Service officer Sir William Stevenson Meyer; the first of Indian origin was Sir Dadiba Merwanji Dalal. The High Commissioner enjoyed the same status as his counterparts from the British Dominions. Upon Indian independence the post was given the present designation.

Proposed in 1925 by the Indian High Commissioner Sir Atul Chatterjee, the building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1930. It was formally inaugurated on 8 July 1930 by the King-Emperor George V.

A bust of Jawaharlal Nehru was unveiled by Prime Minister John Major in 1991.

Emblems

There are twelve emblems on the outside of the building representing the various provinces of India (during the British Raj), described as follows:

Emblem Province Image
Bengal tiger and an East India Company ship Bengal Indian Embassy in London wall plaque.jpg
Two ships and Fort George Bombay Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (5).jpg
Fort St. George Madras Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (4).jpg
Bow and arrow, two rivers (Ganges and Yamuna), and two fishes United Provinces Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (7).jpg
Sun and five rivers (Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej) Punjab Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (6).jpg
Bodhi tree and two swastikas Bihar and Orissa Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (3).jpg
Hills, Indian cobra, and orange and grape plantations Central Provinces and Berar Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (1).jpg
Indian elephant and nine lotuses Delhi India House, London 20130414 121 - Copy.jpg
Indian rhinoceros Assam India House, London 20130414 118 - Copy.jpg
Indian peacock Burma Indian Embassy in London wall plaque (2).jpg
Two Dromedary camels and hills Baluchistan India House, London 20130414 119 - Copy.jpg
Crescent moon, hills, and Jamrud Fort North West Frontier India House, London 20130414 120 - Copy.jpg

Gallery

  • High Commission of India in London 2

    The High Commission from India Place

  • High Commission of India in London 3

    Close-up of some designs

  • High Commission of India in London 4

    Bust of Jawaharlal Nehru on India Place

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