On the night of January 26, 1950, when India became a republic three years after gaining independence from British rule, Delhi was transformed into a “fairyland” as iconic public buildings, parks and railway stations lit up .
Soon after Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as the first President of India on the historic day, the country erupted in celebration and the first Republic Day celebrations were held at the Irwin Stadium (now Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium) here.
Archival photographs and reports culled from the Parliament Museum and Archives, giving a glimpse of these jovial scenes, have been displayed in an exhibition at the ongoing New Delhi World Book Fair.
The theme of this year’s fair is ‘Amrit Mahotsav of Independence’ and a special pavilion traces the journey of India.
a report in “Hindustan Times” One of the rare exhibitions with images of illuminated buildings, gardens and other public spaces.
The report, dated January 28, 1950, contained a collage of eight photographs titled ‘Delhi by Night on Republic Day’ and a detailed news item ‘Capital turns a fairyland on Republic Day’.
The illuminated landmarks featured in the report include the famous Clock Tower in Old Delhi.
The clock tower, built by the British in the 1870s, stood in grand Gothic form on the Chandni Chowk road opposite the then MCD headquarters until about 70 years ago. Although ‘Ghantaghar’ is long gone, people still refer to the area by this name.
A collage of reports from 1950 shows that the Town Hall, India Gate, Rajghat, Municipal Gardens, fountains near Parliament and Old Delhi Railway Station were also illuminated on the occasion.
“After sunset, floodlighting and thousands of multicolored diyas turned the capital into a fairyland and huge crowds burst into irresistible energy,” the report said.
Reports published in Hindi dailies ‘Hindustan’ And ‘Independent India’ It has also been displayed as part of the exhibition at the book fair ending March 5.
“In a most solemn ceremony held in the brilliantly lit and lofty domes of the Durbar Hall in Government House, India was declared a Sovereign Democratic Republic at 10.18 a.m. on the morning of January 26, 1950. Six minutes later, Dr. Rajendra Prasad sworn in as President,” read a report in Fauji Akbar (Now military news) on February 4, 1950 titled ‘Birth of a Republic’.
It said, “The birth of the Republic of India and the installation of its first President was announced shortly after 10:30 a.m. with a 31-gun salute.”
A photograph of Mr. Prasad’s swearing-in ceremony is also part of the exhibition.
The Parliament Museum and Archives has also displayed some rare photographs of the Constituent Assembly of India and its members.
Parliament Museum and Archives Exhibition on the Drafting of the Indian Constitution. Photo: Twitter/@LokSabha_PRIDE
A group photograph of the members of the Constituent Assembly taken in the Parliament complex is also displayed in the exhibition.
This photo was taken by AR Dutt & Sons Studio, one of the oldest studios in Delhi.
Anuj Dutt, grandson of the studio’s founder AR Dutt, told PTI“My grandfather used to use a panoramic camera at that time to capture such a large number of people in one frame. It is heartening to know that the photograph taken by him has been displayed in the exhibition.”
The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held on 9 December 1946 in the August Central Chamber (Central Hall) of Parliament. It adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949, which came into force on 26 January 1950, marking the birth of the Republic of India.
The exhibition includes a monochrome photograph of some members of the Constituent Assembly arriving to attend its first session and the text of the invitation sent by the Secretary of the Constituent Assembly to its members.
Rare images of some members of the Constituent Assembly, including its President Rajendra Prasad and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru signing the Indian Constitution, are also part of the exhibition.
Parliament Library is also organizing exhibition of its books and photocopies of various rare documents.
The Parliament Museum and Archives displays a collection of national and international rare stamps. Photo: Twitter/@LokSabha_PRIDE
The exhibition displays a report published on November 27, 1949 – ‘Indian Constitution Adopted – End of Three Years Work’.
A replica of the Indian Constitution encased in glass and a model of its architect BR Ambedkar are also displayed in the exhibition.