Anand Bhavan – Mute Testimony to Indian Freedom Struggle
Anand Bhavan is a huge mansion that served as the residence of the Nehru-Gandhi family, and is now transformed as a museum showcasing various artefacts and exhibits of the Independence movement in India. Today, it is one of the main testimonies of the struggle of the independence era.Anand Bhavan – A Quick Glance
Famous for: Nehru’s ancestral house and museum
Primarily owned by: Motilal Nehru (Jawaharlal Nehru’s father) after he bought it and renovated
Owned by the Nehru family: 1900s
Timings: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm (Closed on Mondays and Public holidays)
Visit duration: 2-3 hours
Entry fee: INR 50 per person
Anand Bhavan – An Overview
Anand Bhavan is a huge and majestic mansion established by the prominent Indian political leader Motilal Nehru (Jawaharlal Nehru’s father and Indira Gandhi’s grandfather) which was bought in the nineteenth century. It served as the ancestral residence of the Nehru-Gandhi family including the late prime ministers of India, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi who were both born there. The entire premise of the giant mansion stands as mute testimony to India’s struggle towards independence.The mansion Anand Bhavan, Allahabad was donated by Indira Gandhi, the “Iron Lady of India”, to the Indian Government in 1970. The mansion was ultimately converted into a museum by an official order passed by Indira Gandhi. Today, the museum Anand Bhavan is well-maintained and a perfect place to visit especially for the history buffs.
History – Anand Bhavan
The Anand Bhavan was taken over by Motilal Nehru in the 1930s to serve as the residence of the Nehru family. The original mansion was named Swaraj Bhawan which was later transformed into the local headquarters of the Indian National Congress.Swaraj Bhawan – Anand Bhavan
Swaraj Bhawan inside the complex of Anand Bhavan was a palatial mansion that was owned by Motilal Nehru, the prominent politician and father of Jawaharlal Nehru. It continued to serve the ancestral home of the Nehru family till the 1920s when Motilal Nehru donated the house to the Indian National Congress. Since then, the mansion served as the launch pad of several key movements of independence defining the history of the freedom struggle. It was back then that the estate was called Swaraj Bhawan meaning the house for self-rule.
Anand Bhavan – The Residence of the Nehrus
Anand Bhavan has been the home to five generations of the Nehru family and the centre of major Congress activities all devoted to the independence war. Enriched with struggle stories of the freedom fighters in every nook and cranny of the mansion, Anand Bhavan has a huge wealth of artefacts and personal belongings of the leaders.The mansion is a double-storey structure which witnessed several private and official ceremonies of the lives of the Nehrus. Ceremonies like birth and wedding of India’s first female Prime Minister Indira Gandhi also happened here.
The Platform for Freedom Struggle – Anand Bhavan
The Anand Bhavan takes you to the world of the pre-independence times. It is the place where Gandhi and Nehru had brainstormed during the pre-independence day along with several other notable freedom fighters.Among the most notable places of attraction in the mansion are Jawaharlal Nehru's bedroom, his study, and Mahatma Gandhi's room. There is a picture gallery at the outhouse of the estate where the life story of Jawaharlal Nehru is depicted.
Jawahar Bal Bhawan in Anand Bhavan
The Bal Bhawan operates from the Swaraj Bhawan complex with the aim to help children become future creative thinkers, compassionate and responsible citizens who contribute to society. The Bal Bhawan was established by Pt Jawaharlal Nehru inside the premises of Anand Bhawan. The movement run here continues to harness the capabilities of the nation’s students.Major Attractions of Anand Bhavan
Anand Bhavan was converted to a museum after the property was donated to the Government of India by Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The exhibits inside the house are the major attractions of the Anand Bhavan. It simply puts up the participation of the prestigious Nehru-Gandhi family in the struggle for independence.What stands out is the bedroom of Nehru and his study which are among the most beautiful parts of the museum. There is another room dedicated exclusively to Mahatma Gandhi, who used to stay in this room during his visits to the city.
The mansion has yet another room dedicated to Mrs. Indira Gandhi where all her belongings are neatly placed to commemorate the Iron Lady of the Nation. The drawing room of the museum houses the belongings of Mr. Moti Lal Nehru as well as of Jawaharlal.
The estate has another interesting section, the study where tourists can go through the numerous shelves of books filled with titles dedicated to Marx and Lenin. Outside the building, there is an outhouse as well that houses a picture gallery totally dedicated to the life of Jawaharlal Nehru.
Nehru Planetarium – Anand Bhavan
There is a historical museum inside the Anand Bhavan and at the same time, a science planetarium planted inside the premises of the mansion. The planetarium came to existence in 1975 and is managed by Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund.The main aim to build the Nehru Planetarium was to inculcate an interest in science among the school kids of the city. Soon, as expected, a huge number of school kids flocked at the venue who tried to explore their interest in science and astrophysics.
The surrounding of the planetarium is beautifully adorned with lush green gardens. There is an annual occasion held on 14th November, where the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Lecture is held at the planetarium to celebrate Nehru’s birth anniversary.
How to reach Anand Bhavan
Anand Bhavan is located at the main city of Allhabad and the accessibility is quite easy and convenient by a taxi or an auto-rickshaw that would take you to the mansion.
By Air:
Bamrauli Airport, Allahabad - 6 km (3.8 mi)
Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi - 150 km (93 mi)Amausi International Airport, Lucknow - 200 km (124 mi)
By Train
Allahabad Railway Junction - 4 km (2.5 mi)
Prayag Station - 2 km (1.2 mi)
Rambagh Station - 3 km (1.9 mi)
By Road
Civil Lines Bus Stand - 5 km (3.1 mi)Anand Bhavan is a wonderful place to visit, especially if you are a history buff and are looking for some insights into the Independence era struggle up close and personal. The mansion is well-maintained and offers a clear picture of the lives of the Nehrus and also their contributions towards the independence of the nation.
See More Attractions in Allahabad:
Allahabad Fort: The Largest Fort built by Akbar