Hotels in Madras in 1850s

This was the  position of accommodation  available for a visitor  to Madras in 1850s as given in a travel book.  Madras Club it seems was meant for  bachelor's in the   intial years.

    "   As soon as landed strangers are surrounded  by a tribe of most importunate native  servants  of all kinds who keep up a distracting  hubbub of broken  English to which it is  pitiable thing to listen. Servants who speak English may be hired for 10 rs a month - palankeen bearers 6 rs a month - per man.

      The  best thing of course to be done if no friends come to meet one is to get into a palankeen  and be carried to the Club if a bachelor or if travelling with ladies  to some friend's house. There are indeed Hotels which  may be repaired to as a dernier resort. These are Valu Mudeliars  Family  Hotel,  Myrtle  Grove  House  near the Club which is tolerable;  Iyah Mudeliars (The Elphinstone ) 35, Mount Road  and the  Clarendon  Hotel more  indifferent but conveniently situated for the travellers on the  Esplanade near the Beach and Black  Town. But it cannot be too often repeated that to one ignorant of the languages and customs of the country , or to the lover of comfort , Cleanliness and economy a friend's house is the best resting place in  India" .

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ananda Vikatan 1945

Image
     From my collection of old magazine.1945 Deepavali Malar of  Ananda  Vikatan and excerpts from it.  A family  enjoying  gramophone record and the  Thula Ghat in Mayavaram where the Pushkaram was held  recently
Read more

Hazarat Dastagir Sahib Dargah, Triplicane, Madras

Image
      Hazrat Dastagir  Sahib Dargah, Dr.Natesan Road in 1870s. He was descended  from a Turkish  family  and was a kin of Adil Shahi  dynasty of Bijapur where he was born. He settled in Madras after much travelling all over the  country. He predicted his death and asked his disciples not to do the funeral  prayer for him by a Imam. It is said he himself  appeared and did the Janana for himself.  He died in 1752 . The  Nawab of Arcot  Walajah   built a dargah in 1789 over his burial  site. A revered Sufi Saint.
Read more

Holiday list 1832

Image
      European and Native holidays in Madras Presidency in the year 1832. See the beautiful spellings.  What festival is  Calatapetta Wooroovady. It is Kaladipet Uriyadi celebrated in Kalyana Varadaraja  Perumal Temple,  Kaladipet. St. Thome feast  is Rathostavam of Mylapore Kapali Temple.
Read more