When the British decided to shift India’s capital from Calcutta to New Delhi in 1911, the land around Raisina Hills was a barren wasteland. While architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker designed the grand buildings, it was five Punjabi contractors—Sardar Sobha Singh, Dharam Singh Sethi, Baisakha Singh, Ranjit Singh, and Mohan Singh—who turned those blueprints into reality.
From Humble Beginnings to Nation-Builders
- These men arrived in Delhi with little more than ambition, hailing from small villages in Punjab.
- They exchanged turbans—a sacred Punjabi tradition—pledging brotherhood and shared purpose.
- With tireless labor, they constructed:
- Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Parliament House
- North and South Blocks
- Connaught Place
Beyond Construction: Pioneers of Modern Delhi
Their legacy wasn’t limited to government buildings:
- They launched Delhi’s first cinemas (Regal, Plaza).
- Built iconic hotels and commercial hubs.
- Established companies that shaped Delhi’s economy.
A Legacy Erased?
Despite their monumental contributions:
- No roads or monuments in Delhi bear their names.
- Their story survives only in books (like Khushwant Singh’s writings) and oral histories.
- Few institutions today recognize these unsung architects of modern India.
“They built an empire’s capital but were forgotten by the nation they helped create.”
📜 Why This Matters:
Their tale isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it’s about Punjabi resilience, brotherhood, and the immigrant spirit that built Delhi.
🔍 Did You Know? Sardar Sobha Singh later became Delhi’s first Indian Municipal Commissioner—yet even his statue was installed only in 2021 after decades of neglect.
Call to Action: Next time you walk past Lutyens’ Delhi, remember—its true foundations were laid by Punjabi hands. 🏗️💛
(Sources: Malvika Singh’s “Perpetual City”, Khushwant Singh’s archives)
