The history of The Indian Institute of Architects is one of absorbing interest. Unfolding the scenes throughout the years, it speaks in its manifold aspects, of the struggles and influence of architectural education from one solitary centre throughout India, of the rebirth and youth of a profession which the Country had almost forgotten, of a struggle for existence and the need to have the meaning and value of Architecture and architectural service understood and attempts and experiments towards a new stage in the architecture of the country.

In the Renaissance or reawakening of India, the Institute has its due place in the sphere of Architecture.

Its history is also one of men with vision and ideals, men who had at heart, the welfare of architecture and the profession and who with such a goal, helped to lay and build up the foundations of an architectural future fraught with the finest possibilities conceivable.

On May - 12th, 1917, the first historic meeting was held in Mr. Foster King's bungalow, set in the sylvan surroundings of the School of Art compound. It was here, according to a tablet on the building, that the famous Rudyard Kipling was born on the 30th December 1865.

One may well imagine what the scene must have been then, for some of the beautiful surroundings of trees and greenery are fortunately still preserved in the very heart of a great industrial and commercial city. In such a setting of beauty and peace, the child that was to grow up into the Indian Institute of Architects, was also born.

At the first meeting held, the members present decided to form themselves into an association of the past students of Architecture of Sir J.J. School of Art and it was decided to christen the infant "The Architectural Students Association". Late Mr. George Wittet, the then Consulting Architect to the Government of Bombay, was unanimously elected as the first "President" of the Association.

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