Parantharami Mani

      A description of  Sembarum Packum lake in the  year 1732 by German protestant  missionary  Sartorius. Even at that time there were seven  stone sluices. At that time it seems the area was 10.36 sq km. Now the surface area is 15 sq.km.

     The Banker and his wife in Madras presidency around 1830. Most of the money lenders in Madras belonged to the merchantile Chettiar community (before the marwaris came in ) who were mostly shaivites and worshipped Sivan and Murugan.

A description of Chingleput around 1828 AD      Chingleput which is around 50km from  Chennai  was a Jaghire obtained in 1750 and 1763 from the  Nawab of Arcot in return for the services rendered to him and to his father by the  EIC and was rented to the Nabob on renewed lease until 1780 when the Madras presidency assumed the direct management.  This district was twice invaded by Hyder Ali in 1768 and in 1780 when he ravaged it with fire and sword so effectively that at the termination of later war in 1784 hardly any other signs were left in many parts of the country of its ever having been inhabited than the bones of the massacred and the naked walls of the houses, choultries and temples that has been destroyed.        To the havoc of the war succeeded a destructive famine and the emigration from these combined causes nearly completed the depopulation of the country.  In 1790 the  Jaghire was divided into two ...

A panoramic view of the  Vizianagaram  fountain  from north side in the  middle of  Mount  Road /Walajah  Road  junction. This  square  structure  was built  before  1895 by Vizianagaram  Raja  Ananda  Gajapathi  Raju and it had  a water  fountain  inside.  Must  have  served as a place of rest  and leisure  for the toiling  masses  in those  days. At the  far end of the  picture  one  can see the  old office of the "  Hindu ". The Art Deco  building of  the  'Curzons 'the  landmark  furniture  showroom established  by C.  Alavandar Chetty  is not  seen and yet  to  come. They were the leading  furniture  showroom  along  with  Wren & Bennett and specialised  in library furniture. The high and mighty of those days had their f...

       A Dubash  with a  hat in his hand  and a French  Officer  in this drawing by an artist of  Tanjore  in 1785. This  is from the  Album  of  Frenchman John Peter Boileau who was in the  East  India  Civil  Service from 1765 to 1785. A pet Dog is sitting on the  floor. Courtesy : V & A

        Brahmins being feasted at a house in  Triplicane  in early 20th century.   See the copper vessel thaneer  sombu. Countesy :   bm archive

       A British Family with a Native Ayah perhaps  in Wellington , Madras Presidency. These Ayahs worked full time with their British families doing houseold chores and looking after their children.