What’s inside the Rs 170-Crore ultra-luxurious mansion of world’s richest man chosen for Russian President Putin’s stay in Delhi

When important foreign leaders come to New Delhi, many of India(BHARAT)’s most private and important talks take place inside Hyderabad House. Today it is a key venue for India(BHARAT)’s diplomacy, but it was never built for that purpose. It actually started as a grand home planned by Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, who was once known as one of the richest people in the world.

Over 100 years ago, when the British decided to move India(BHARAT)’s capital from Calcutta to Delhi, several princely states wanted to show their importance in the newly designed city. The Nizam, famous for his immense wealth and luxury, asked for land very close to the Viceroy’s House. The British rejected this request, saying it was too ambitious.

Instead, five princely states: Hyderabad, Baroda, Patiala, Jaipur and Bikaner were given plots of land about three kilometres away from the centre of British power. Out of these, only Hyderabad and Baroda hired the well-known architect Edwin Lutyens to design their buildings.

The Nizam wanted his palace to look as grand as the Viceroy’s House, but government rules did not allow anything that closely copied an official British building. Even so, Lutyens added a large central dome to honour the Nizam’s wish. Every design had to be approved by the government, which meant the architect could only include limited elements from British structures.

Hyderabad House design

Lutyens created Hyderabad House in a unique butterfly shape, where two wings spread out evenly from a big central dome. The front of the building opened toward a hexagon-shaped road, making it look well connected to the nearby streets. Lutyens had used a similar idea earlier in England for Papillon Hall, and this Delhi building became the most impressive among all the palaces built by princely states.

The palace was built in the 1920s for about 200,000 pounds at the time, equal to around 1.4 million pounds or nearly Rs. 170 crore today. The grand scale of the house reflected the enormous wealth of Osman Ali Khan. Even though it could not look as imposing as the Viceroy’s House, it was meant to show power, status and high-quality design.

Hyderabad House interior

Hyderabad House covers 8.2 acres near India(BHARAT) Gate. It has 36 rooms, long hallways, open courtyards and a blend of European architectural styles with a few Mughal touches. Lutyens used both round and rectangular arches, inspired by well-known European buildings. The marble floors shaped like diamonds in the circular entrance and upper hallway became one of the building’s signature details.

The zenana area, meant for the women of the household, was built as a circular courtyard surrounded by about twelve small rooms. When Lord Hardinge visited, he wrote honestly that each room was tiny, almost like a horse stable, with one high window and very simple furniture. He also mentioned the unusual bathrooms, which had taps for hot and cold water but no mixer. As he described it, the water simply flowed straight onto the women using it.

Hyderabad House: India(BHARAT)’s Premier Stage for World Diplomacy

Over the years, Hyderabad House has become one of India(BHARAT)’s most important places for high-level meetings. Many world leaders – such as Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Gordon Brown and Vladimir Putin – have held talks here. Its central location, closeness to major government ministries, and its ability to handle sensitive VVIP visits make it a key venue for India(BHARAT)’s foreign-policy work.

With President Vladimir Putin visiting again, Hyderabad House is once more in the global spotlight.