Viceregal Lodge

Built in 1902, the Vice Regal Lodge happens to house the offices of Delhi University’s Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Registrar. The VC complex, as it is referred to today, comprises of not just the main single storeyed building that was the Vice Regal Lodge, as also elaborate gardens on all sides, the surrounding single storeyed-lodge like structures, and some two storeyed structures that probably served as barracks for sepoys in those times.

As many as five Viceroys served from this building till the time that Rashtrapati Bhawan and the rest of Lutyen’s Delhi was being constructed. Once the seat of the government shifted to Raisina Hill, this beautiful building was handed over to the University of Delhi in 1933.
Eminent personalities like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru have walked the corridors of this historical landmark.

The architecture of the structure is classic, colonial with semi-circular arches supported by pillars. A single continuous corridor runs around the building. The rooms are spacious, lavish, with each room having its own private waiting area outside as they served as the meeting rooms for the then legislative assembly and the legislative council. Today, the university’s academic council and executive council meetings take place here. A series of structures that circle the main garden have been converted into post graduate departments; Zoology, Botany, Computer Science, to name a few. While the main VC office was renovated during the time of VC Deepak Nayyar, these department structures have yet to be restored and many rooms lie locked, buried under dust and neglect.
A central porch leads right up to the VC’s office, on the other side is a circular garden with a series of fountains in the centre. The University’s annual flower show takes place in these gardens, a treat for those who claim to have a green thumb. Best way to get here is the Delhi’s vishwavidyala metro stop. You could also take the Vidhan Sabha stop, Flagstaff road and then walk down towards the VC office through the North Delhi Ridge.