Parantharami Mani

       The beautiful  Nallu Kal mandapam in front  of the main tower of  Parthasarathy  temple in this  photo  by Frederick  Fiebig in the  year 1851. See the  beautiful  stone  rings an architectural aspect of  Vijayanagar era. The  same mandapam recently photographed. Only  the  Vahana mandapam remains and the  rest have changed.

       Guindy Lodge, Rajbhavan in 1875 in this Bourne and Shepherd photograph.  The original building was  built during 17th cenury when Governor Langhonre created a hunting lodge with beautiful gardens. The bungalow changed many hands until it was acquired by Sir Thomas Munro in 1821 as a country house to transact public business since the area around Government House , Mount Road was overcrowded because of development of city. The house was extensively renovated during the Governorship of Lord Elphistone and took its present shape. I suppose the cupola like structure is no more there.

       The second and third Light House of Madras wihin the complex of Madras High court.  The Doric column light house made of Pallavaram granite stones was constructed during the period 1838-44 and was opened on 1st January 1944.  The cost of the granite itself was Rs.60000/-.  A description of the light house in the handbook of Madras published in 1870s describes about it. The third light house was inaugurated on 1st June 1894 on top of the tallest tower of High court complex constructed during 1890-92. It had argand lamps and reflectors imported from Birmingham.

         Alfred  Duke of  Edinburgh  photo taken during his visit to Madras in 1870. In a letter written to his brother  Prince of Wales  (future king Edward  VII)  he describes about his stay in Madras.  Quite interesting. He was the fourth child  of Queen  Victoria.

        A precursor to the Coast Guard  now protecting the  Sea coast. In 1830s there was a Marine  Police headed  by a Beach  Magistrate  to protect the  sea shore having its jurisdiction  from Fort to the  village of  Royapooram in the  north. It main function was to see that no illegal activity is done in the incoming  ships. It had a well entrenched  set up as seen in the  notification issued at that time.

     Mowbrays Road. This major  thoroughfare connecting  Royapettah with Mowbrays Cupola near Adyar river was developed in early  19th century. As per the " Environs of Madras" map of 1814 this road is well marked with fields on both sides.  The  " Sadr Adalat"  the Court of  Appeal for Hindu and Islamic  law cases during  Nawabs  period upto 1860 was abetting the  road near Alwarpet junction.  The building  was recently demolished.  It must have been a pleasant  drive  in those days with avenue of trees.

       St.Matthias Church,  Vepery.  This was originally a Catholic Church constructed by Armenian Merchant  Coja Petrus Uscan around 1730s and was his private chapel. After the  rendition of Madras to British in 1749 the  British thought that the Catholics aided the  French and removed them from the Fort except Uscan and Madeiros the  Portuguese.  The  Catholic Church inside the Fort on the  North side was also demolished.  After the death of  Uscan in 1751 the  Vepery church was taken over by SPCK a Danish  Mission. Extensive repairs alterations were made to this  church  in 1821-22 and it was consecrated as an Anglican  Church. The  East India Company  govt. also  chipped in with some money. Coja Petrus  Uscan was buried in the  church yard after his death in  1751. Some of the streets in Vepery like Hunters Road,  Jeremiah  Road and Rotle...