Historic Chamber of Princes Prepares for Commonwealth Speakers' Conference
The Chamber of Princes in the old Parliament House stands ready for a significant international gathering. This historic room will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth starting Wednesday. The venue has witnessed dramatic transformations through India's political evolution.
A Room with Multiple Historical Roles
British authorities established the Chamber in 1920 under the Government of India Act of 1919. They created it as a formal body where princely states could raise concerns directly with the British Crown. The Chamber began its official sittings in 1921 with the Viceroy presiding over meetings. It continued functioning until India gained independence in 1947.
Following independence, the room took on a new judicial role. The Supreme Court operated from this chamber from 1947 until August 1958. During this period, the court heard landmark cases that shaped India's legal foundation. The Supreme Court website notes the court's inauguration occurred here on January 28, 1950, continuing the space's judicial legacy from the Federal Court that sat there from 1937.
Architectural Transformation to Library Hall
After the Supreme Court relocated to Tilak Marg in 1958, authorities reconfigured the Chamber's design. Historians M N Kaul and S L Shakdher documented these changes in their writings. Workers raised the flooring to match the corridor level and remodeled the surrounding rooms. This transformation created a spacious reading area that became known as the Library Hall, now serving as part of the Parliament Library.
The Chamber retains remarkable historical features despite these modifications. More than one hundred gilded designs representing emblems of former princely states still adorn the walls. These intricate decorations preserve visual connections to India's pre-independence political landscape.
Renovation and Future Use
Renovation work began last month to prepare the Chamber for its upcoming role. Sources indicate Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will address participants during the Commonwealth conference. Following this event, the Lok Sabha Secretariat plans to utilize the hall more frequently for various purposes.
The renovated space will host legislative workshops, seminars, and media interactions. This represents a reactivation of a historically significant venue for contemporary parliamentary functions. The revival forms part of broader ongoing renovations within the parliamentary complex.
Commonwealth Conference Details
India hosts the Commonwealth Speakers' Conference after a sixteen-year interval. The country previously organized these gatherings in 1971, 1986, and 2010. This year's edition expects sixty-one speakers and presiding officers from member nations, marking the highest participation in the conference's history.
The conference aims to strengthen impartiality within Commonwealth parliaments while empowering democratic institutions. This year's agenda focuses on several contemporary issues affecting parliamentary systems worldwide. Participants will discuss artificial intelligence applications in parliamentary functions, social media's role in governance, innovation promotion, citizen participation enhancement, and security and wellbeing measures for parliamentarians.
The Chamber of Princes continues evolving while preserving its historical significance. From imperial consultations to judicial proceedings to legislative functions, this space embodies India's constitutional journey. Its upcoming role hosting international parliamentary leaders represents another chapter in its storied existence.
