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| Cuddalore Dist. Collectorate building, cumaps.net/en |
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| Collectorate building, Cuddalore, TN cuddaloreonline.blogspot.com |
In the 18th century after several skirmishes with the French army and Tipu Sultan of Mysore, an alley of the French, the British took control of the region part of which lying between Palar and Portonovo rivers became South Arcot District. The first collector of this district in 1801 was Captain Graham who was with the East India company's military. Vide records in the Madras district gazetteers with respect to South Arcot (1962 ) we understand the name ‘Arcot’ is derived from Tamil ‘Aaru kadu’ meaning six forests which were supposedly the abode of Hindu hermits./rishis.
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| Location map Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. mapsofindia.com |
The old Cuddalore District Collector's Office in Cuddalore town is functioning in a heritage building built with Indo -European style of architecture. Past several years its upkeep by the govt. officials has been very poor. Because of govt. apathy and lack of interest in saving a heritage structure, the building is showing the impact of poor maintenance coupled with time factor and the effects of vagaries of weather being on the coastal area. Details regarding its date of construction, etc., are not available. However, the building has been around for about 150 years. In 1993 Cuddalore District was carved out of South Arcot district.
However, the old Collectorate building seems to have undergone some changes by way of some additions and repair work without proper planning and foresight. It is quite imperative that when additions and repairs are made to century plus old heritage structures, precaution should be made not to disturb its original design or parts. Invariably, the builders give a damn to their old charm and heritage values. They use construction materials that do not match old buildings that were constructed with old traditional techniques. The contractors carrying out repair work have neither any fundamental knowledge of conservation of old structures nor do they value the heritage aspects in those structures under repair.
As for the Cuddalore collectorate building, alterations and additional building construction done by contractors mar the beauty of the colonial edifice. Because they never ever do research and choose construction materials similar to the ones used centuries ago. The addition of a new portico in the façade of the building at the entrance is at odd with Indio European styled structure. The haphazard construction and repair work done in a hurry show the beautiful building in poor light,
When dealing with old monuments, as for repair and conservation, discretion must be used before embarking on the work. Altering the old architecture, changing color coating, flooring, replacing the original wooden doors with glass doors according to whims and fancies of builders is a horrible mistake. It is to be assumed that to the contractors money matters more than that of heritage of a monument.
The govt both at the center and state must make it mandatory to consult the ASI and INTACH. whose workers and conservation engineers have lots of experience and they know how to bring back the old structure back to old splendor without compromising on their heritage values. TOI dated 24 December 2020 in an article mentioned that 29 heritage buildings in Tamil Nadu will get a facelift in one go. Among the sites included the old Cuddalore collectorate building. Rs.80 crore had been sanctioned for the renovation work od many structures.
http://cuddaloreonline.blogspot.com/2008/08/our-kind-of-rennovation.html
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