Explore The Enchanting 30 January Lane: New Delhi's Best Kept Secret
Sujeet kumar | Feb 09, 2025, 01:28 IST
The name of the road(Lane), 30 (tees in Hindi) January, commemorates the death of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 30 January 1948.Gandhi spent the last five months of his life (144 days) as a guest of the Birla family at Birla House at 5 Tees January Marg. The Birla residence was purchased by the Government of India in 1966 to house the Gandhi Smriti. Adjoining the Gandhi Smriti, at 6 Tees January Marg, is the National Defence College of India. Lets know what's the history and logic behind the name "Tees January Marg(Lane)"
Mahatma Gandhi Assassination
What Happend On 30 January
30th January 1948 is the darkest day in Indian history which is impossible to forget. It was on this day that the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated at Birla House,a large mansion in central New Delhi.
He was shot three times at point-blank range by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, while walking to a prayer meeting. Gandhi died shortly after the attack, with his last words being "Hey Ram...! Hey Ram...!". Albuquerque Road, Delhi, where he had been living for the last 5 months since September 1947.
The road was named after Afonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese Governor of India in the 16th century. The Birla family, Indian business tycoons, owned the house at 5 Tees January Marg.
How It Renamed as “Tees January Lane”
30 Janaury Lane Sign Board
Afonso de Albuquerque Road was renamed to Tees January Lane, and later to Tees January Marg, to commemorate the death of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948.¹ The name change occurred after Gandhi's assassination, but the exact date of the name change is not specified anywhere as per gave any specific information.
Birla House Now Gandhi Smriti
Gandhi Smriti New Delhi
Birla House, Now known as Gandhi Smriti, has a rich history dating back to 1928 when it was built by Ghanshyamdas Birla, a prominent Indian businessman. The 12-bedroom house was a frequent guest house for Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, who would often visit the Birla family.
The house was purchased by the Government of India in 1971( In some data mention 1966) for Rs 5.4 million and seven acres of urban land in exchange.
Gandhi Smriti was officially opened to the public on August 15, 1973, and now serves as a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi's life and legacy. The museum features various artifacts, including Gandhi's spectacles, dhoti, charka, and walking stick, as well as a preserved room where Gandhi lived and the prayer ground where he was assassinated.
Key Attractions:
- Martyr's Column: Marks the spot where Gandhi was assassinated
- Eternal Gandhi Multimedia Museum: Established in 2005 to showcase Gandhi's life and teachings
- Preserved Room: Where Gandhi lived during his stay at Birla House
- Prayer Ground: Where Gandhi held daily prayer meetings and was eventually assassinated.