This more than 200 year old heritage building dominating the skyline of Chandini Chowk was acquired by Bank of Delhi in 1846. Earlier it was being used by the British rulers as their court. It was here on 11th May 1857 that the Agent of the Bank George Beresford along with his wife and five daughters were killed by the invading mutineers from Meerut. The mutiny broke out at Meerut on 10th May and the sepoys marched to Delhi immediately. Beresford and his fought a valiant battle to save themselves with his wife killing at least two mutineers with a spear. They lie buried at St.James Church, Kashmir Gate.
Imperial Bank of India the predecessor of State Bank of India acquired the building later and presently it houses SBI Regional Office. For sometime RBI also functioned from here. This heritage building with Palladian architecture epitomises European architecture of the time. The corinthian columns, balustered terrace, arched doors and windows, spiral iron staircase and english lifts are a class apart justifying the heritage character of this building.
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