The Chetwode Building with its long colonnades, red-and-white facade and a commanding clock toweranchors the campus of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. It is more than a landmark; it frames the rites, values and memories that shape generations of Indian Army officers. On its parade square, Gentleman Cadets rehearse the crisp geometry of drill; under its shadow, they absorb a moral geometry expressed in three enduring lines called the Chetwode Motto.
Why it’s called the Chetwode Building
The building commemorates Field Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode, who served as Commander-in-Chief, India, around the time the Academy was founded in 1932. At the IMA’s inauguration he delivered an address whose central passage became the Academy’s guiding credo—hence the name “Chetwode” for both the principal block and its main ceremonial hall.
Architecture & setting
The Chetwode Building embodies early-20th-century colonial civic architecture:
- Plan: long east–west and north–south corridors creating strong axial views.
- Emblematic feature: a central clock tower that acts as the visual pivot of the parade ground.
- Functions: administrative and academic spaces, with the drill square spread out in front for parades and ceremonies.
- Its measured proportions and symmetry are not just aesthetic choices; they serve the military preference for order, line, and visibility in public ritual.
The Chetwode Motto
Engraved and recited across generations, the motto sets a clear hierarchy of duty:
- “The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time.”
- “The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next.”
- “Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.”
These lines are taught not merely as quotations to memorise but as a practical decision-making compass: nation → command → self. In training rooms and field exercises, cadets learn to translate that order into routine choices about risk, resources and responsibility.
Traditions around the building
- Passing Out Parade (POP): The iconic POP is held on the square in front of the Chetwode Building. It marks the culmination of training as cadets are commissioned into the Army.
- “The Last Step”: Exiting through the western portal after the POP symbolises the transition from cadet to officer—an unofficial rite many batches remember for life.
- Motto recitation: Major events, from address rehearsals to ceremonial days, return to the Motto as a touchstone, reinforcing a shared professional ethic.
Why the motto still matters
The Motto’s power lies in its clarity and ordering. In complex situations—humanitarian aid, counterinsurgency, peacekeeping, or disaster relief—leaders face conflicting claims on time, attention and resources. The Chetwode hierarchy keeps priorities straight: protect the national interest; care for those you lead; put yourself last. This ethic fosters trust within units, discipline under pressure, and a service-first mindset that outlives formal training.
A short timeline
- c. 1930: Principal block conceived and built in the run-up to the Academy’s opening.
- 10 December 1932: IMA inaugurated; Chetwode’s address delivered.
- Thereafter: The building becomes the ceremonial and visual centre of the campus; the Motto becomes the Academy’s moral centre.
Visiting notes
The IMA is an operational military campus; access is controlled. Visitors typically view the Chetwode Building from designated points or during notified public events. If you plan to travel, check current guidance, obtain permissions where required, and respect restrictions on photography.
Quick FAQ
Who was Sir Philip Chetwode?
A British cavalry officer who rose to Field Marshal and served as Commander-in-Chief, India, during the Academy’s founding era. His 1932 address provided the lines that became the IMA’s motto.
Is it “Chetwode Building,” “Block,” or “Hall”?
All three terms appear. “Building/Block” refers to the main range with the clock tower; “Chetwode Hall” often denotes the principal ceremonial hall within or associated with it.
What makes the building so iconic?
Its architectural symmetry, the clock tower silhouette, and its role as backdrop to the Passing Out Parade have together made it the signature image of the IMA.
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