Gandhi Smriti, New Delhi

Smriti Museum (Birla House) – Situated on Tees January Marg (formerly Albuquerque Road), this is the place where Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi spent his last 144 days. He stayed here from 9^th September, 1947 till 30^th January, 1948 when he was assassinated.  

Birla House was built by Ghanshyamdas Birla in 1928. After Gandhiji’s death, Jawaharlal Nehru wanted Ghanshyamdas Birla  to convert part of the property into a Memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Ghanshyamdas was however reluctant to give up the house with associated memories. Birla House was finally acquired by the Government of India in 1971 at a cost of Rs.54 lacs and a few acres of land in exchange (considered to be a very profitable deal at that time).

Birla House opened for the public on 15th August, 1973 renamed as Gandhi Smriti. In the year 2005, the Museum was upgraded and an “Eternal Gandhi Multimedia Museum” was established. I visited the place recently and found the Museum very well maintained. I found the lady staff, who assisted me at the Museum, well-versed with the contents and fully devoted to her duties.