Located close to Bangalore city and the industrial town of Hosur in Tamil Nadu is a historical Scottish-styled residence called Kenilworth Fort . It is also referred to as Kenilworth Castle on account of its unique architecture and distinctive features that have close similarities with that of the original Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, England, Perhaps it is the only Indian fort that resembles an English castle.
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| Brett House (castle), Hosur, Tamil Nadu commons.wikimedia.org |
This Krishnagiri and other areas came under the control of the English company after 1800 upon the death of Tipu Sultan of Mysore in Srirangapatna. Earlier, it was part of his kingdom and after 1860 the Crown administration in London annexed it with the Madras Presidency with HQ in Madras.
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| Location, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, S.India.weather-forecast.com |
It was one Brett ICS, the Collector of Salem District had this castle built near Hosur between 1859 and 1862 as a token of his his lasting love and care for his Scottish wife who came from a noble family of Scotland. The district HQ was in those days was at Hosur and the collectorate later was shifted to Salem. Brett chose this place (close to the Hosur fort) to build a cozy and comfortable residence that resembled an English castle as desired by his wife. He built it with the help of skilled persons locally available.. One version says that Brett was transferred to Salem, so he and and his wife got no chance to live there. According to another version the couple resided here briefly hence this site is also called Brett's Fort. It was later purchased by the British government in 1875.
Brett and his wife could not live in their dream house for a long time as the the English company suspected that part of the company's money went into the construction of a big residence and the collector misused the funds to please his wife's whim. Brett had spent Rs. 17000 for the lime (chunabu) alone and the cost of construction was around Rs.170000, a huge sum in those days. The question was, being a salaried person how did he afford such a palatial building. So, Brett had to leave the job for good as asked by the English company.. His wife, unfortunately died there and her mortal remains are in the graveyard of St. John's church, Bangalore.
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| Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, England. everypixel.com |
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| Brett House (castle), Hosur, Tamil Nadu en.wikipedia.org |
Presently, this monument is in a shambles due to poor upkeep by the successive ruling government of Tamil Nadu This structure with fine European architecture needs urgent repair and restoration. Up to 1980s this place was haunted by anti social and law- breaking people who caused severe damage to the building. The ASI, it is said, has a plan to protect whatever is left of the monument. It is about 50 km from the Bangalore city. As of to day, this historical colonial structure remains in a dilapidated state. No remedy is not in sight in the future!!.
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2018/03/brett-castle-hosur-tamil-nadu-built-by.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenilworth_Fort_(Hosur)
http://samharshbangalore.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-taj-of-south-bretts-folly.html
