By Rons Bantwal

Mumbal,(RBI) Feb. 09: The newly constructed Darbar Hall with more seating capacity at Raj Bhavan will be inaugurated by President Ramnath Kovind on Friday (11th) at 11 am. The event will be attended by Smt. Savita Kovind, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Public Works Minister Ashok Chavan and selected guests.

The inauguration of the new Durbar Hall was decided by the President on December 8, 2021. However, the inauguration ceremony was postponed due to the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat, chief of the three armies.

The new Durbar Hall in the Raj Bhavan is built on the site of the old Durbar Hall and has a seating capacity of 750. The old hall had a seating capacity of 225.

Brief History of the Darbar Hall:

The Darbar or audience hall, on a rectangular plan, was constructed in 1911, between Jal Bhushan and the Secretariat. Its portico edges on the underground passage which leads towards the southern tip and after skirting the periphery, terminates below Jal Chintan near the Devi temple.

When the investiture ceremony of Governor Shri Sri Praksh was held here on 10 th  December 1956, the hall was known as Jal Naik. In continuing a tradition, the hall when complete was referred to as the Darbar Hall, a nomenclature that emulated the native states to whom it came with a distinct connotation. 

The hall has all the required trappings of an audience hall. As a backdrop for the dias and on the wall facing the dais, were two large paintings with the tree of life motif. With an evolving socio-political scenario today, the Governor is required to preside over several functions including investiture ceremonies, and the Darbar Hall, the Jal Sabhagriha, remains the most active area of the Raj Bhavan.

Addressing the `Durbar’on 3 rd  September 1937, on the eve of his departure, Governor Lord Brabourne said, During my term of office I have come to regard the annual Darbar of the Sardars of the Deccan as an event of great importance, not only because it gives me a valuable opportunity of meeting the leaders of the landed aristocracy of the Presidency, but because it gives you all an occasion to exchange ideas and renew old friendships”

The 1937 darbar was the last one to be held as there is no mention of it during the later period.  The Congress had rejected the Govt. of India Act of 1935 in its entirety.  The Working Committee of the Indian Congress at its meeting held at Wardha on 28 th  February 1937 adopted a resolution which said:
 
Congress members of the Legislature must remember the Congress policy of not assisting or cooperating with any function or activity, calculated to enhance the power or prestige of British Imperialism in India.  Ceremonial, official or social functions of this kind must therefore, be avoided and no Congress member should take part in them.” he concept of the Darbar seems to have sunk deep in the mindset of the Government House / Raj Bhavan.  Lingering memory and a forgotten context!