A Golden Jubilee is a memorable stage in the life of any Institution or individual. That the Indian Institute of Architects is celebrating this event is a matter of congratulation, not only to the profession but to all those interested in the welfare of architecture, generally. Fifty years ago the foundations of the Indian Institute of Architects were well and truly laid by the men who laboured for the welfare of Architecture and the profession, men who being fine craftsmen themselves had the vision and the foresight to conceive the structure that would grow to serve the needs of the country and of those who would succeed them. Their work was worthily continues, so that today, the Indian Institute of Architects stands, as the sole representative body embracing the whole of India.

Starting from small beginnings as the Architectural Students’ Association in 1917, its name was changed to the Bombay Architectural Association in 1922 till finally it has grown to full stature as the Indian Institute of Architects in 1929, an all India Body.

In the beginning of the Twentieth Century the profession of Architecture, as understood today hardly exists in India. It was the age of the hereditary master builder and craftsmen starting right from Vedic times and continuing as a living force through Buddhist, Jain, Hindu and Muslim history, a period of continuous evolution with a spirit and character essentially Indian.

The tragic decree of Emperor Aurangzeb, dismissing all Hindu Craftsmen from the Royal Rolls, started the decay of Indian Architecture, which was accelerated by British influence that finally led to the decline of Indian Architecture. Towards the second half of the last century official and public work was to a large extent designed and carried out by Royal Engineers, who, however, in some cases had sufficient architectural knowledge to do possible and sometimes even good work. This phase was influenced by the Battle of Styles, then being waged in England. It was either the Gothic or Classic Style and even in so-called Gothic work, Indian motifs even sued as compromise. Towards the end of the last century provincial Governments began the practice of bringing over from England qualified men to act as Consulting Architects to handle the work of the various Public Works Departments and thus a tardy recognition of the professional Architect was given. The bulk of the work in a few cities was nevertheless handled by Civil Engineers whose training was much in advance of anything provided in the Architectural field. By virtue of their knowledge of the structural aspects of building and because of the scarcity of qualified Architects in the Country, the Engineers assumed a controlling influence in the building developments in the big cities, while in the country, as a whole, the building work was in the hands of “Maistries” or Supervisors who designed and supervised the work of their fellow craftsmen. The work developed more into a practice of a rule of thumb and uninspired copying from the past, often in bad taste, led to the decline of Indian Architecture. The harmonious blend of utility, structure and aesthetics which constitute good Architecture was missing.

It was in these times that the first seeds of Architectural Education were sown in Bombay. In about 1900 on the advise of Mr. John Begg, the first Consulting Architect to Government, classes in Architecture were started in the Sir J.J. School of Art, towards the building of which a sum of Rs. 1,00,000 was offered to the East India Company by the great Parsi Philanthropist, Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, the first Baronet. These classes were meant to train draftsmen to fill the need in the offices of the Consulting Architects. In 1907, the training was recognized by Government by granting of a “Draftsman’s Certificate” to those candidates who passed the preliminary and elementary examinations at the School. This made them eligible for employment in the lower grade posts in the Drawing Offices of the Public Works Department.

In 1907 there appeared on the architectural scene the great (late) Mr. George Wittet, the then Consulting Architect to the Government of Bombay. He took charge of these classes and organized them into a “four-year course” for students wishing to work in the offices of Architects and Engineers, with one whole-time teacher. The classes were held from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Improvements gradually followed with the result that with the popularity of the school, Mr. Wittet found that it was more than he could cope with in addition to his official duties. It was in 1913 that Mr. Robert W. Calbe a member of the staff of the Architectural Association School in London was appointed to take charge of the school. As Professor of Architecture, with a staff of lecturers and teachers, including the Consulting Architect, Assistant Architects to Government and Architects in private practice in Bombay, the school soon acquired the dignified status of a School of Architecture. Professor Cable worked hard and urged Government to bring it in line with those of the best schools in the West. He re-organised the morning classes and made it a “five-year Course”. Public examinations were to be conducted by the Government but were postponed due to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. As Professor Cable was on active service in Mesopotamia, Mr. H. Foster King, was put in charge of the School, while his other partner, Mr. Claude Batley, was a member of the staff. Mr. Batley continued the good work put in by Professor Cable and later on in 1924 became the Professor of Architecture which post he held for nineteen years till 1943 and which he filled with great lusture. All these men were, however, destined to take a leading part in the various stages of the history of the Institute.

The Architectural Students’ Examination (1917-22):

With the stage now set, we come to the month of March 1917, the time of the Government Examinations. Mr. King was then in charge. His cheerful personality and unflagging enthusiasm for the welfare of the student were responsible for the arranging of the first of a series of excursions planned to start immediately on the night of the last examinations. It is no wonder, therefore, that the examinations took a secondary place. There was a four-day trip to Ahmedabad. On return, outings to Elephanta and Jogeshwari caves were arranged and the climax came with a visit to Ellora. The social contacts thus made, the need for some arrangement, whereby past students might be able to meet for their mutual interest, was felt and led to the discussion with Mr. King at Ellora for the establishment of an institution towards this end. The idea was enthusiastically received and it was decided to give further consideration on reaching Bombay.

On the 12^th May 1917 the first historic meeting was held in Mr. King’s bungalow set in the sylvan surroundings of the School of Art Compound. This building is rich in its associations. Prior to such figures as Cecil L. Burns and W.E. Gladstone Solomon, Lockwood Kipling lived amidst similar surroundings, when in charge of the Modelling Department from 1865-1880. It was here, according to a Tablet on the building that the famous Rudyard was born on 30^th December 1865. It was the Empire’s poet who wrote of Bombay:

“Mother of Cities to me
For I was born in her gate
Between the palms and the sea
Where the world-end steamers wait”.

One may well imagine what the scene must have been then for some of the beautiful surroundings of trees and greenery are fortunately still preserved now unfortunately being removed for modern buildings in the very heart of a great industrial and commercial city. In such a setting the child that was to grow into the Indian Institute of Architects was also born.

At the first meeting, the members present decided to form themselves into an Association of past architectural students of the Sir J.J. School of Art. The following who had passed the Advanced Examination that year were termed the Originators of the Association.

Mr. N.A. Desai,
Mr. N.D. Desai,
Mr. B.L. Dhama,
Mr. G.S. Kalkumdrikar,
Mr. M.B. Pagi,
Mr. S.C. Pastakia,
Mr. V.V. Potdar,
Mr. S.S. Rao,
Mr. C.P. Shah,
Mr. K.B. Taraporvala,
Mr. P.R. Turner,
Mr. B.P. Wadke.

Mr. King who presided at the meeting and Mr. K.B. Majumdar, a member of the staff who was also present “were unanimously elected as members of the Association”. The Chairman then gave some advise as to the aims and ideals of such an Institution and the best means for proper organisatinon. Two letters were read. One was from the great Wittet, promising his hearty support to the Association and the other from Cecil L. Burns, the then Principal, stating that he would willing spare a room for the Association in the School of Art. From the recorded minutes, we find that after further discussion it as decided to Christian the infant “The Architectural Student’s Association”. Messrs. K.B. Majumdar and K.B. Taraporvala were appointed the first joint Honorary Secretaries and Mr. B.P. Wadke, the Hon. Treasurer, Msessrs. H.F. King, S.C. Pastakia, V.C. Potedar and M.A. Desai were elected to the first managing Committee to nurture the babe which had just seen the light of day.

Under the leadership of Mr. King, five days later on the 19^th May 1917 the Committee went into action in the same historic bungalow. It met again on the 26^th. So well did it begin its task that we find that at the second general meeting convened on 2^ndJune, an important item was the election of the President of the Association. It appears that Wittet had been approached to fill this office and the fact that the great Consulting Architect to Government agreed to lead such a small body of past students of Architecture and so to be intimately associated with their ideals and struggling efforts is testimony of the interest he had at heart and his selfless service in the cause of Indian Architecture and of the profession generally. Mr. B.L. Dhama therefore, duly proposed that Wittet should be elected the first president of the Architectural Students’ Association and on being seconded by Mr. P.R. Turner, Wittet was unanimously elected. It was but fitting that Mr. King should then be elected as Vice President. Mr. S.C. Pastakia, the proposer referred to “his great zeal and interest” and added “that had it not been for him”, the association would not have come into existence. The vacancy in the Managing Committee, thus created was filled by Mr. S.P. Bhiwandkar.

Wittet then delivered his first Presidential Address, earnestly stressing the importance of Indian traditions in the future development of Architecture in the country.

The Rules of the Association as drafted were then discussed and adopted. It will be interesting to know that “the object of the Association” was the advancement of Architecture and the promotion of social intercourse amongst the past student (presumably Architectural) of the Sir J.J. School of Art, lecturers and members of the profession.

The first syllabus for the “Monsoon session”, was discussed and approved. It included, on a modest scale, lectures, papers, debates and a design competition with two general meetings for other business that might come up. The year was divided into a “Monsoon and a Cold-weather” session, which seemed peculiarly apt.  In 1920, however, this was altered to our official session from June to May, which system continues to the present day. One reads with a smile of the arrangement recorded of using the services of two school peons and the loan of hurricane lanterns to light the way of members in the darkness after the evening meetings.

In the beginning 42 past students enrolled themselves as members and that membership soon exceeded a hundred, good progress indeed for an Association so young.

Lectures were given and papers read by eminent men both outside and within the profession. At one of these meeting the great Parsee Scholar, the late Dr. Jijanji Jamshedji Modi (later Knighted) gave a brilliant discourse, from a literary aspect, on “Religion and Architecture”.

Visits to various important buildings and works were arranged. Study tours also to places outside Bombay were organized. Studentships were awarded to deserving students and competitions held. Designs were invited and these were discussed and prizes awarded for the best designs. The response was good and the work submitted was most satisfactory and interesting. Amongst many familiar names in these competitions were read that one of the most successful was Mr. G.M. Bhuta, who showed early talent and was later to distinguish himself by taking first place in design amongst the candidates of his year in the Final Examination qualifying for Associateship of the Royal Institute of British Architects, held in London.

Due to the ability, influence and enthusiasm of the first President, we find practicing Architects from Bombay and even elsewhere joining this Students’ Association and helping to slowing building up a structure that would one day be representative of professional interests, beside working for the general advancement of Architecture.

Mr. Wittet held office from1917-20. It was, however, not all plain sailing and as often happens in the history of such bodies, there occur occasional periods of depression. In March 1920 the Managing Committee discussed just such a situation. Wittet was not present then. Of late he had been unable to devote as much time as he would have wished to the affairs of the Association. At this meeting one member proposed that the attention of the President should be drawn to the sinking state of the Association and his views be invited as to what steps should be taken. It was finally decided to request him to take the Chair at the Annual General meeting in April and to address the members, particularly on this subject. Wittet complied and in a frank talk, admirably minuted, he covered a wide field sympathizing with the problems of members, praising their past  efforts, encouraging them in their present difficulties warning them against the dangers of asset-back in the affairs of the Association, stressing the value of such a body for their own benefit and striving generally to instill in them a confidence and enthusiasm for the future.

Besides some students, there were only 23 members present at the meeting but Wittet’s frankness seems to have had its effect. The records in the succeeding years showed steady and admirable progress in the work of the Association. Professor Cable, who had now returned from War Service, played an active part. He was made an original member of the Association and after the expiry of Wittets’ three year term of office, was elected the next President in 1920. It was during his year of office that the “Monsoon and Cold-Weather” sessions were amalgamated into one and for the first time the Managing Committee found it necessary, with the increase in its work to appoint four sub-Committees, the Competition, the Excursion, the Practice and the Library Sub-Committee.

The Bombay Architectural Association (1922-29)

Professor Cable’s exertions towards a five-year course resulted in the holding of the first qualifying examination for the Government Diploma in Architecture in 1923. Those efforts at raising the standard of Architectural Education imparted and consequently of those passing out of the school were to influence the need for a new outlook for the Association, when in 1922 proposals were made to change its name. Meanwhile the activities of the Association showed progress. Its round of activities continued and after Professor Cable’s term of office Mr. Claude Batley was elected President in 1921. He continued for a second year and it was at this time that the members began seriously to consider an improvement in the status of the Association. The word “Students” seemed inapt for a body that now had practicing Architects and Architectural Assistant and employees in its fold and it was, therefore, suggested that it be omitted from the name of the Association. When Wittet was approached  by Mr. R.M. Kapadia, the then Joint Honorary Secretary he strongly objected to this mentality and stressed that architects were as much students in practice as in the classroom and that no degradation should be feared in the continuance of the word “Students”. This was typical of the man and was probably the secret of his greatness as an Architect. Despite this viewpoint, however, we find that at the first Managing Committee Meeting for 1922-23, a Special Committee consisting of Mr. Batley, Professor Cable, Messrs. S.C. Pastakia, R.M. Kapadia and L.R. Date all very actively connected with the Association, was appointed to draft out proposals and a new Constitution.

At a Special General meeting held on the 15^th June 1922 the changes in the Constitution and Bye-laws, as drafted by this Committee were discussed. One member was enthusiastic enough to move an amendment suggesting that the name should be the Indian Architectural Association. This was, however, considered too ambitious at that stage and the meeting more modestly adopted the name “The Bombay Architectural Association”. The draft Constitution and Bye-laws were unanimously approved. A general ballot, however, was necessary for adopting these proposals and it was not until the third ordinary meeting held on 3^rd August 1922 that Mr Batley, the President, was able to announce the formal inauguration of the rechristened Association. The first elected president was happily enough Mr. H. Foster King (1923-24) to whose efforts the Association owed its origin. He was followed by Mr. D.W. Ditchburn (1924-27) and for nearly a year by Mr. Sohrab F. Bharoocha, by whole untimely death the Institute lost one of its keenest supporters. To perpetuate his memory in 1929 “The Sohrab F. Bharoocha Architectural Library” was founded and housed in our premises. Mr. King then steered the Association’s course in 1928-29 and continued at the helm as the First President of the Indian Institute of Architects. But before we come to our history we may briefly review the work done by the existence of the Bombay Architectural Association.

In the beginning of our history we found how through the early ages of a single School of Architecture there arose the material and desire for an institution to serve the needs of students. The formation of the Architectural Students’ Association and its comparative brief term from 1917-22 was the first stage wherein a good deal of preliminary work was done and the foundation laid for its future growth. From 1922-29 was the second stage, when professional aspects and the general development of Architectural interests began to receive greater attention.

The raised standard of architectural education and consequently of those who qualified from the School, their distribution all over India, Ceylon and Burma and the need for consolidating the members of the profession into one organized body were factors which weighed in the new outlook.

The advancement of Indian Architecture in the form of an Indian Renaissance was an important movement which caught the imagination of the Public opinion had to be created and the co-operation of the Press was sought. The late Mr. Kanhyalal Vakil the Art Critic of the Bombay Chronicle, was our ardent champion and a well-wisher of the Association and the School. Papers and lecture towards the furtherance of this idea were definitely encouraged. Government and Public Institutions were approached to encourage the revival of Indian Architecture and sympathetic letters were received from the Development Directorate, the Bombay Port Trust and the Bombay Municipality. Open competitions were sponsored by the Bombay Improvement Trust for facades of building of their Trust plots.

To help create further public interest a year book was published in 1923-24 illustrating the Prize-Winning designs for the Improvement Trust Competitions and some other work with contributions by George Wittet, J.A. Macdonald, Architect to the Port Trust and K.H. Vakil.

It was, however, felt that in order to sustain the interests of members an architectural Library was essential. Books and money were contributed. The first cupboard was donated by Cecil L. Burns and housed in one of the class rooms of the School. On 12^th April 1928 a condolence meeting was held to mourn the loss of the President, Mr. Sohrab F. Bharoocha. At this meeting a Memorial Committee was appointed to take necessary measures towards a perpetuating his memory and it was decided that the Memorial should be in the form of an Architectural Library to be called “the Sohrab F. Bharoocha Architectural Library”. An appeal for funds was launched and so successful was the response that nearly Rs. 15,000/- were contributed principally by his widow, Mrs. Coomi Sohrab F. Bharoocha and several relations and friends. A further presentation of 176 books and 3 book cases by Mrs. Bharoocha was a welcome addition. At this stage it became possible to rent a room at 7-10 Elphinstone Circle, Bombay for the Library and a full-time clerk was employed. The Library was ceremonially opened and the portrait of Mr. Bharoocha was unveiled by the first President, Mr. H. Foster King on 18^th April 1929. The funds and management were transferred to the Managing Committee of the Association and subsequently to the Council of the newly formed Indian Institute of Architects in the same year.

The Library was open to all members, Architectural Students and Assistants, all practicing Architects and to others interested in Art and Architecture. Further donations and gifts of book continued and a sum of Rs. 1,000/-, by r. Burjor F. Bharoocha, the brother of the deceased was a welcome contribution.

In 1924, a very important step was taken by the Association. As far back as 1922 there had been tentative visions of affiliation with the Royal Institute of British Architects, London. On 20^th November 1924, at the Special General Meeting requisitioned by 15 members, Prof. Claude Batley moved the following resolution:—

“That the Managing Committee take very early steps to enquire on what terms the Royal Institute of British Architects would recognize our Association as an Allied Society and further whether a properly constituted Sub-Committee of our Association would be officially accepted by the Royal Institute of British Architects for the purpose of organizing the machinery necessary for holding the Final Examination for Associateship in India”.

After being seconded by Prof. Robert W. Cable, the proposition was eventually carried by a large majority. Further developments reveal a favourable reply from the R.I.B.A. and affiliation was soon a concrete reality. The alliance was formally confirmed at a Special General Meeting held on 14^th May 1925 in the School of Architecture.

This step allied the Association to the most powerful body of professional opinion and was to have far-reaching consequences. One of the first was the gradual bringing into the fold of the Association, members of the R.I.B.A. in the President and throughout India.

The status and worth of the Association was thus enhanced and led to the third stage. The inauguration of the Indian Institute of Architects.

Sanction to hold the Final Examinations in India was received in November 1925. The R.I.B.A. Examination Sub-Committee consisting of three members nominated by the R.I.B.A and three by the Managing Committee (later by the Council of the Indian Institute of Architects) was appointed and it was only in 1930 that the first examination was held. Mr. S.J. Narwekar was the only candidate to pass the whole examination at the first attempt. Later he became the Architectural Adviser to the Government of Bombay.

It should be mentioned that in connection with the affiliation and the sanction for the holding of the R.I.B.A. Examination in India, Mr. D.W Ditchburn the then President laboured a great deal, giving valuable service, both here and in England, while Mr. Burjor S.J. Aga carried on the onerous duty of Hon Secretary of the R.I.B.A. Board for several years.

The steady progress of the Bombay School of Architecture was being maintained and with the inter-relation with R.I.B.A. the Association grew. In 1923 Prof. Cable after seeing to the safe inauguration of the Government Diploma in Architecture in March 1923 took up the post of the Architect to the Bombay Improvement Trust. The five-year Diploma Course was recognized by the R.I.B.A. for exemption from the Intermediate Examination, provided the Student passed both the Advanced and Diploma Examination of the Government of Bombay. The School was by then a recognized School of Architecture. Prof. Cable was succeeded by Mr. Woods Hill, the Consulting Architect to the Government of Bombay. He however resigned within a year and was followed by Prof. Batley who since 1924continuedat the helm. He laboured to improve further the standard of the School. Whole day classes were introduced instead of morning classes. In 1929 Government sanctioned the starting of an Atelier Class for Diploma Holders. These have been great changes influencing many who today are the members of the Indian Institute of Architects — an all India Body.

The Indian Institute of Architects

Affiliation with the R.I.B.A. led to further changes in Constitution and Bye-laws. Mr. H. Foster King the first President made the final draft which was unanimously approved and which is still being followed, (until the new Draft Constitution and Bye-Laws — already circulated — become operative).

On 2^nd September 1929, the Indian Institute of Architects was officially registered and thus the third stage was ushered.

Its chief objects amongst others, as stated in the memorandum of Association were:

“To continue the work of the Bombay Architectural Association founded as the Architectural Students’ Association in 1917 and

“To encourage the study of Architecture, to elevate the Standard of Architectural Practice and by mutual support to promote the interests of Architects throughout India”.

The Institute moved into new premises at Prospect Chambers Annexe, Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Bombay 1 BR, which houses the “Sohrab F. Bharoocha Library”, which has grown to contain over 2,000 books.

To create further interest the year book was discontinued and the publication of the Journal started, as a quarterly. But as this would entail the devotion of much more time and labour in its production, an agreement was entered into with Mr. F.J. Collins, the publisher who agreed to take upon himself the production and financial responsibility, while the supply and control of publication matter was retained by the Institute through the Journal Committee. In April 1934 the first quarterly number was published and since then it has continued to be one of the most important features of the Institute. Later the Journal was published by our member, the late Mr. P.J. Khambatta. Later Mr. M. Largo-Affonso took over and now it is being published by the Journal Committee. Our grateful thanks are due to the Editors, Mr. H.J. Billimoria, (now Chief Architect to the Government to Ceylon), from whose review for the Silver Jubilee these notes are gleaned, to Mr. M.J.P. Mistri and J.P.J. Bilimoria now in New Delhi, to Mrs. Vina Mody and Mrs. Charles M. Correa and a host of others including Mr. M.M. Vijayakar, Mr. R.D. Sane, Mr. K.B. Gatne, Mr. A.D. Aroskar and the younger members of the Journal Committee for all their valuable help in keeping it going inspite of the mounting costs of paper and printing and other difficulties, for the Journal is a big link with members spread out all over India, Pakistan, Burma, Ceylon and even over Europe and America.

Down the years the Institute has continued to do useful work. The Constitution and Bye-laws and the Scale of Professional Charges are being revised. Well-conducted Architectural Competitions are being held. Much good work had been put in by the late Mr. Walter George of New Delhi, as President and Corresponding Member. It must however, be mentioned that several Universities and other promoters of big projects do not seem to know that Architects are not in the same category as Contractors.

With our members spread out over the sub-continent, Chapters have been formed at Delhi, Madras, Calcutta, Ahmedabad and Poona. It is now contemplated to divide India into four zones, North, South, East and West, so as to be more representative. From a small band of Architects we now have 3,096 members on our Rolls, of whom 147 are Fellows and 2,949 are Associates. We also have 3 subscribers.

A Bill for the Registration of Architects has been with the Parliament for a long time. Now that we have Mr. Piloo H. Mody, our Vice President and the first member of our Institute to be elected a Member of Parliament, we feel sure the bill soon will be taken up. We offer our congratulation to Mr. Mody on his election.

It was in 1955 that the Royal Institute of British Architects conferred the degree of Honorary Associate Member on Sir Cowasji Jeangir (Bart), the first Indian to be so honoured.

Our Institute is also a member of the International Union of Architects since 1961. Conferences were attended by our delegates at Warsaw, Cuba and Prague. Our President, Mr. J.R. Bhalla is one of the Vice-Presidents of the Executive Committee for East Asia.

As a member of the Commonwealth Association of Architects, our delegates also attended the Conferences at London and Malta. India was honoured in March of 1967, when the Second Conference of Commonwealth Architects was held in New Delhi and was well attended by Architects from Commonwealth countries. The credit for success goes in large measure to our President, Mr. J.R. Bhalla, who spared no pains to see that it was well-organised.

Our institute is represented in the following bodies:

All India Council of Technical Education.
Provincial Council in Engineering and Technology.
Indian Standards Institutions.
All India Board of Technical Studies in Architecture and Regional Plannning.
National Building Organisation.
Board of Governors of the Delhi Polytechnic.
Boad of Studies for Architecture and Allied Courses.
Board of Visitors for the Faculty of Technology and Engineering, the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

Several Memorials have been raised and prizes offered to Architectural Students from:

The George Wittet Memorial.
The Henriques Memorial.
The Claude Batley Memorial and 
The C.M. Master Memorial.

The Indian Institute of Architects today is at an important stage of its existence, with many School of Architecture spread all over the country. Much work has been done but still more earnest work remains to be done — work for national, civic, professional and educational interests — work wherein the individual outlook is subservient to the common good. The Institute has had a glorious past, in which the members may well take pride. Its future, however, lies in the hands of the younger members, for it is their efforts that will shape its destiny and their own. May they far-sightedly unite and labour incessantly, for worthily building up that future, the foundation of which our pioneers helped to lay.