GENERAL POST OFFICE (GPO), PUNE

I got the privilege of sketching the General Post Office in 2018, one of Pune’s oldest and most dignified public buildings. Constructed in 1873–74 during the British Raj at a cost of approximately Rs 19, 710, the site itself holds deeper layers of history, having served postal functions as early as 1855, with the structure evolving through later expansions. Architecturally, the building stands as a fine example of Palladianism, the 16th-century Italian architectural style known for symmetry, proportion, and restraint. The pale grey stone façade rests on strong plinths and is marked by a distinctive howdah-shaped entrance porch. Tuscan-style veranda columns, high-ceilinged halls, and arched windows with keystone detailing define its stately character, while ornate parapets and an octagonal tower crowning the main hall complete the composition. Sketching this building was a lesson in balance, order, and timeless civic architecture.