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| The Paliam Dutch Palace/keralabackwater.com/blo |
Paliam palace, Chendamangalam. muzirisheritage.org
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| Paliam palace, Chendamangalam. archidust.com |
The Paliam Dutch Palace in Chennamangalam town in the district of Ernakulam is one the oldest palaces in Kerala known for its Dutch and native architectural grandeur. Roughly 450 years old it was renovated by the Dutch colonists and later presented to the Paliath Achans, the hereditary prime ministers of the king of Cochin in appreciation of their dedicated efforts to maintain a cordial relationship between the Cochin ruler and the Dutch company operating in this part of Malabar. Paliath Achan is the name given to the head of the family (Karanavar) of the Paliam noble family. During 17th and 18th century the family wielded lots of power acting as the prime minister and chief the Army for the Cochin ruler and they were known for their integrity, dedication to their duty and loyalty to the king.
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| Paliam palace, Chendamangalam archidust.com |
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| Paliam palace, Chendamangalamarchidust.com |
The Paliam Palace, a two story structure ( GF and 2 F) with minimum ornamentation was the residence of prime minister from the Paliam family who were close to the Cochin ruler. Made mostly of quality wood built on the surrounding thick walls, the structure boasts of richly carved wooden staircases and balustrades. The thick walls with splayed openings bear testimony to the Dutch influence.
To keep indoors cooler during hot days a circulation channel runs through the inner parts, insulating the interior. So inner portions are cooler than peripheral areas. Kovilakam was the official residence of Valiyachan (Eldest Achan) of Paliam and was meant for only official work. Also used by him are two other places for different purposes - as his offices. Achan would hold court (Durbar) with people and listened to their grievances or complaints. The durbar hall is at the eastern end of the first floor. Here, he received his subjects and officials.
The prime minister in time of war or some kind of tumultuous political situation emerging in the kingdom sheltered and shielded the King for safety purposes. During Portuguese invasions, the European explorers made serious threats to the Maharajah of Cochin as he refused to oblige them in their mercantile trade activities in his areas. So Paliath Achan took the responsibility of safeguarding the ruler and temporarily shifted his residence to this palace in Chendamangalam.
The palace houses a museum with a collection of historic documents and relics. It is a great Muziris Heritage Site to be explored.
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