Parantharami Mani

 Col. Henry Davidson Love's bungalow on Victoria Hostel Road. Love was the  greatest historian of Madras and has chronicled the  history of the city from 1640 to 1800  in his  book  "Vestiges of Old Madras".  This bungalow was supposed to have been occupied by him when he was Principal of College of Engineering between 1880-1907 when the college was functioning in Chepauk  Palace.  But surprisingly neither this bungalow nor Victoria Hostel is marked in the map of Chepauk around 1893 although  Goshaw Hospital,  PWD office and Presidency college are clearly marked.  On the contrary some other house on the other side of Buckingam canal is marked as Principals House.  Was it constructed after 1893.  Mystery.

 Tipus Summer Palace at Chamarajpet, Bengaluru next to Venkatramana Temple. This more than 230 year old palace was started by Hyder Ali in 1780 and finished by Tipu Sultan in 1791. It was used by Tipu during his sojourns to Bangalore. Built on a stone plinth the structure has gigantic  fluted wooden pillars with stone base which supports the wooden beams in the ceiling. Cusped arches and brackets in typical Islamic style add beauty to the palace. The existing structure is part of a larger palace complex. The main palace with living rooms was to the East of the existing structure.           After the death of Tipu in 1799 the palace went into the hands of British and later to Wodeyar Kings. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III gave audience to the citizens of Bangalore during his visit to the City in 1808. It was used by the British Commissioners of Bangalore from 1831 as their office till it was shifted to Attara Kutchery in 1868. It remains as a mute...