1. In March 1948, the site for a new Capital was chosen, which was then a part of the erstwhile Ambala district. 2. In 1950, Le Corbusier was offered the design of the Capitol buildings on a plan designed by Albert Mayer. 3. Chandigarh was inaugurated in 1952. 4. The Chandigarh Master Plan 2031 has suggested heritage status to Sector 22, the first typical sector on the concept of the neighbourhood and for Sectors 7 and 8 as a tribute to the architect planner, Albert Mayer. 5. Corbusier conceived the master plan as analogous to the human body, with a head (the Capitol Complex, Sector 1), heart (the City Centre Sector 17), lungs (Leisure Valley), and so on. 6. The edict of Chandigarh that Corbusier prescribed for citizens has numerous dos and don’ts for the public space, including a taboo on statues of any kind. Besides the monumental compositions at the Capital Complex, Le Corbusier designed other symbols of his philosophy for Chandigarh. These include the Open Hand, the Martyrs's Memorial, the Geometric Hill, and the Tower of Shadows: 7. The Open Hand The giant metal hand, that stands 14m tall, is the most recognised emblem of the city. The sunken amphitheatre is meant as a place of contemplation, where people gather for events. The 50-ton metal hand also acts as a weathervane. 8. The Martyrs' Memorial To the right of the Assembly building is this ode to the freedom fighters of India. The memorial is built as a concrete ramp with symbols of the swastik and the Ashok Chakra on it. 9. The Geometric Hill This earth-filled mound has on its concrete relief work, the 24-hour day cycle which represents the balance of light and darkness in life. It also acts as a visual connect to the Capitol Plaza. 10. The Tower of Shadows A series of concrete platforms, this structure is angled in a way to allow the sun to work its way through the spaces. It was a culmination of Corbusier's study on sun paths and the way to heat and cool a building.
