Above image: Residence of Prince of Arcot. In
the late 1920s, Klien & Peyerl's picture (Courtesy:
Vintage Vignettes) of Chepauk Palace in the first decade of the 20th
Century. ......................
Chepauk Palace, Chennai, the first building in India to be built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, is one a few oldest buildings in India constructed in 1760s. Once the official residence of the Nawob of Arcot from 1768 to 1855, this heritage building is slowly crumbling because, as usual, both the state and central governments show least interest in preserving this historical building for the younger generation.
Chepauk Palace, Chennai, the first building in India to be built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, is one a few oldest buildings in India constructed in 1760s. Once the official residence of the Nawob of Arcot from 1768 to 1855, this heritage building is slowly crumbling because, as usual, both the state and central governments show least interest in preserving this historical building for the younger generation.
That the past historical events associated with great monuments or historical sites are relevant to the posterity who should not grope for the historical facts of immense value is the dictum of historians. A few years ago, the Khalsa Mahal, was gutted and a part of the ceiling in Humayun Mahal caved in, since then the building and the surrounding areas have been in a state of neglect. Part of the building is being used by the state government and it is unfortunate none of the employees vents his voice to restore the palace back to its old glory. This old palace in Chennai is a vestige of colonial grandeur and legacy of the Arcot nawab rulers.
On a visit to this place one will hardly realize that this was once a royal enclave. - residence of the royal family of Nawob of Arcot, who presumably in 1777 gave Arcot diamonds (a 38.6-carat oval-shaped highly valuable diamonds) as gift to Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III (1760-1820) and Queen Consort of Britain as a token of his loyalty and allegiance. Now this palace is hidden behind government office buildings - PWD building and Ezhilagam. Until 1860s, it was a sea-front building, and one could see this building in full glory at a distance from the sea. This palace, on a site of roughly 117 acre, was built for the Nawob of Arcot Muhammad Ali Walajah, whose capital was Arcot. near Vellore, TN. the ruler wanted to reside closer to the East India company's settlement - Ft. St. George on the beach road under their protection.
On a visit to this place one will hardly realize that this was once a royal enclave. - residence of the royal family of Nawob of Arcot, who presumably in 1777 gave Arcot diamonds (a 38.6-carat oval-shaped highly valuable diamonds) as gift to Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III (1760-1820) and Queen Consort of Britain as a token of his loyalty and allegiance. Now this palace is hidden behind government office buildings - PWD building and Ezhilagam. Until 1860s, it was a sea-front building, and one could see this building in full glory at a distance from the sea. This palace, on a site of roughly 117 acre, was built for the Nawob of Arcot Muhammad Ali Walajah, whose capital was Arcot. near Vellore, TN. the ruler wanted to reside closer to the East India company's settlement - Ft. St. George on the beach road under their protection.
After the Carnatic Wars, the kingdom of the Carnatic had virtually become a protectorate of the British East India Company. Like many rich rulers of India, the Nawob got himself caught in the trap - a sort of ''Nelson hold'' devised by the British called ''subsidiary alliance'' initiated by none other than Lord Dalhousie. it was a subtle way to hoodwink the Indian rulers. Now, the Nawob for his security relied entirely on the troops supplied by the British East India company.
Paul Benfield (1742–1810), financier and trader who had close contact with the Nawob, was in charge of construction of the palace. He was the former engineer of East India company.
 |
| a 38.6-carat oval-shaped stonefamousdiamonds.tripod.com |
The building had two parts: Humayun Mahal, the ruler's quarter two-story Durbar hall, the Diwan-e-Khas. The other being private quarters called Khalas Mahal. In order to maintain his royal status, the Nawob had spent more money on the place than he could afford and consequently his debt snowballed into whooping 10 million pounds, pretty huge amount in those days. The Arcot ruler's debts that soared above the Himalayan height were far beyond redemption and this debt trap pushed the ruler below the abysmal depth.
Soon after the death of Nawob, the onus of clearing the debt fell on Nawob's son Umdat-ul-Umrah. The clever company officials and the crown had been waiting for the first opportunity to gobble up the Arcot kingdom. Further, the company suspected that Umdat had contact with Tipu Sultan, the company's arch enemy. Using default of loan as an excuse, East India company not only annexed the palace of once the rich Royal family but also ceremoniously evicted him and his family from he palace without compunction whatsoever.
The kingdom, having been taken over by the company in 1801, now the Nawob became a titular ruler, with a hereditary title 'Prince of Arcot' granted by Queen Victoria. The Nawob was granted a paltry sum as pension plus some protocol benefits so that his line of generation could carry on the royal family' s legacy. Amir Mahal with a plot of its 14-acre grounds, on the Pycrofts Road, Triplicane, has been the residence of ex -Arcot ruler's descendants since 1870. Soon after take over by the British company, the royal family moved into a new residence, Shadi Mahal, on Triplicane Road. About the vast plot and the Nawob's palace attached by the British, there was no taker when put up for auction in 1855 and finally it came
 |
| The Chepauk Palace thehindu.com |
under the control of the government. The beautiful tower between Humayun and Khalsa Mahal was built by Robert Fellowes Chisholm, popular architect well-known for Indo- Saracenic style of buildings in India.
The MA Chidambaram Stadium (also known as Chepauk ground) itself was built on part of the palace grounds. An interesting fact is, it is believed, that Cricket has been played here since 1842, when the Madras Cricket Club was founded.
In the palace descendants of Nawab of Arcot are living here, including the present Prince of Arcot.
Ref:
