Rs 170 Crore Delhi Mansion of World's Richest Man Becomes Vladimir Putin's Host in India

Hyderabad House in central Delhi, once the palatial residence commissioned by the last Nizam of Hyderabad who was the richest man in the world at the time, is again in the spotlight as it hosts Russian President Vladimir Putin during his India visit.

The mansion at 1, Ashok Road carries a legacy that stretches back to the years when princely states sought to leave their architectural imprint on the newly planned capital.

How the Last Nizam Chose His Spot in Delhi

When the British shifted India's capital to Delhi, princely rulers showed interest in creating their own majestic homes in the city. Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, wanted nothing short of a prime location in the Princes' Park close to the Viceroy's House. That request was not accepted, so five princely states were allotted land slightly farther from the Viceroy's residence near the statue of King George V. These were Hyderabad, Baroda, Patiala, Jaipur and Bikaner.

Among them, Hyderabad and Baroda commissioned architect Edwin Lutyens to design their palaces. Although the Nizam's instructions to replicate the grandeur of the Viceroy's House could not be fulfilled due to government guidelines, Lutyens still incorporated a central dome as a nod to the original desire. All palace designs had to receive government approval, which limited any attempt to reproduce an official British structure.

The Butterfly Palace Takes Shape

Lutyens designed Hyderabad House in a distinctive butterfly plan, with wings spreading symmetrically from a central dome. The structure opened toward the hexagonal approach road, seamlessly linking the palace to the surrounding avenues. Drawing inspiration from his earlier design for Papillon Hall in England, Lutyens built a residence that became the grandest among the princely estates in Delhi.

Constructed in the 1920s at a cost of 200,000 pounds, which amounts to about 1.4 million pounds or nearly Rs 170 crore today, the palace embodied the wealth of Osman Ali Khan. Although it could not mirror the Viceroy's House in stature, it was planned to reflect prestige, scale and architectural excellence befitting the world's richest man.

Architecture, Interiors and the Zenana Quarters

Hyderabad House spans 8.2 acres near India Gate and has 36 rooms, extensive corridors, courtyards and European style architectural elements combined with select Mughal motifs. Lutyens used a mix of round and rectangular arches influenced by classical European landmarks. The rhombic marble floors in the circular foyer and the first floor hallway became defining features.

The zenana section was designed as a circular court with about a dozen small rooms arranged around it. Lord Hardinge, who once visited, described them candidly by writing that each room was only the size of a horsebox with a single high window and very simple furnishings. He also noted the unusual bathroom arrangement with taps for hot and cold water but no means to mix them, adding that the water simply poured directly onto the ladies using it.

A Symbol of Wealth in Imperial Delhi

Hyderabad House was second only to the Viceroy's House in grandeur among structures built by Lutyens in Delhi. Its scale and elegance were designed to express the Nizam's authority, wealth and prominence among Indian princes. Funded by immense riches from Hyderabad's diamond mines and legendary treasures such as the Jacob Diamond, the palace stood as an architectural marker of princely opulence in the heart of the British capital.

The Nizam himself visited infrequently but ensured that the structure symbolised loyalty to the British Raj while asserting his standing. Over time, as princely rule waned after Independence, visits grew rarer until the palace's role shifted entirely.

Transformation After Independence

After 1947, Hyderabad House entered a new phase as the princely states integrated into independent India. Hyderabad became part of India following Operation Polo in 1948. The mansion, seldom used by the Nizam afterward, eventually passed into government hands through transfer or donation from the royal family. Public records of any compensation remain limited.

By the early 1970s, the government began exploring its potential for official use. In 1974, the Ministry of External Affairs formally took charge of the property and designated it as a venue for state banquets and diplomatic events. The India Tourism Development Corporation managed its catering and maintenance, ensuring that the palace met international standards for visiting dignitaries.

A Premier Venue for Global Diplomacy

Over the last five decades, Hyderabad House has become one of India's most important diplomatic spaces. From Bill Clinton and George W Bush to Gordon Brown and Vladimir Putin, world leaders have attended high profile meetings, joint statements and official banquets here. Its location close to government ministries and its capacity to host large VVIP gatherings has made it the Prime Minister's principal state guest facility.

Today, as Vladimir Putin arrives for engagements in New Delhi, the historic palace once built for the world's richest man stands restored to its role as a centerpiece of India's diplomatic outreach.