Beneath the stately corridors of the Delhi Assembly building lies a history steeped in intrigue and tragedy. Built in 1912, this colonial-era structure has witnessed pivotal moments in India’s freedom struggle. Yet, some of its darkest secrets have only recently come to light.
The building once housed a gallows room where convicts were executed. A hidden tunnel, discovered within the premises, once transported revolutionaries from the Red Fort to stand trial and meet their fates.
Ram Niwas Goel, the outgoing Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, has spent years exploring the mysteries of this historic landmark. “Convicts were sent to the gallows here. After a British-era tunnel was found on the premises, a gallows room was also uncovered,” he explains.

He adds, “The building fell into disuse after 1926, and British administrators turned it into a court. Revolutionaries were tried here after being brought through the tunnel, and those convicted were executed.”
A rich colonial legacy
The Delhi Assembly building was constructed in 1912 after the capital shifted from Kolkata to Delhi. It housed the Central Legislative Assembly between 1913 and 1926.
Goel recalls an incident that unearthed yet another layer of history. “A worker once informed us about a wall that appeared newer than the surrounding structures. When we knocked on it, it sounded hollow. We decided to break it and discovered the hidden tunnel,” he says.
Last year, Goel assured that the tunnel would be renovated and opened to tourists, allowing people to witness a forgotten chapter of India’s colonial history.
First modern building after 1911
Though often referred to as the Old Secretariat building, this structure remains strikingly contemporary. It was the first modern building in the city after New Delhi became the capital in 1911.
Located on the right side when travelling from ISBT towards Delhi University, the building served as the seat of the Government of India for 14 years. It remained in use until 1926 when the administration shifted to the iconic South and North Blocks.
Who designed it?
The Old Secretariat was designed by E Montague Thomas, preceding the arrival of Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, who shaped the architectural vision of New Delhi.
Remarkably, the building was completed in just eight months. The contractor, Seth Fateh Chand, worked tirelessly on a 24×7 basis to meet the deadline. Originally from Sukker (now in Sindh, Pakistan), he earned a reputation for honesty and quality workmanship, never compromising on materials.
Two minarets and small towers
The building’s architecture is as fascinating as its history. It features a long façade with two lateral structures.
The portion facing Alipur Road curves gracefully in the centre, resembling a half-moon. A central doorway leads to the main chamber, flanked by two minarets at each end. Small towers with domes further accentuate its elegant design.

Inside the square, four blocks stand on either side of the Council Chambers. Interestingly, these blocks are not directly connected to the central chamber.
Freedom Rock and the park
The central park of the Delhi Assembly building is home to a granite plaque listing the names of national leaders who served in the House of Legislature.
Nearby stands the Freedom Rock, a memorial unveiled by the then Vice President of India on March 12, 1998. This park adds a serene touch to the building’s otherwise imposing structure.
Gandhi’s visit to the Delhi Assembly building
The Rowlatt Bill was debated in this building in March 1919. Among the visitors in the gallery during these discussions was none other than Mahatma Gandhi.
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The controversial Rowlatt Act, also known as the Black Act, was passed on March 10, 1919. It authorised the government to imprison individuals without trial for seditious activities, sparking nationwide unrest. Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement was born as a protest against this draconian law.
A venue of political milestones
After Independence, the building saw a lull in activity until Delhi was granted an Assembly in 1952. However, this Assembly was disbanded in 1956.
In 1966, the building became significant once again when Delhi was given a Metropolitan Council. To this day, the council operates from the historic site.
Statues that honour history
The building’s surroundings are adorned with statues commemorating key figures in Indian history.
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At the entrance, a bust of Pt Madan Mohan Malviya stands prominently. Within the central park, statues of Vithalbhai Patel, Mahatma Gandhi, and Bhagat Singh draw visitors’ attention.
Vithalbhai Patel’s statue, installed in 1989, was followed by Gandhi’s Dandi March statue in 1992. On March 15, 1997, the statue of Chaudhary Brahm Prakash, Delhi’s first Chief Minister, was unveiled on the right side of the main gate.
JS Shunty, an MLA first elected in 2014 and now contesting again from the Shahdara seat, reflects on the building’s legacy. “When I first entered here, I could not believe I would work in such an imposing and historic structure. It is truly a building full of stories.”