From The Hindu · The Hindu Bureau · · 2m
Forest Palace restored after decades of decay
Tamil Nadu's British-era Poosi Forest Palace, built in 1850 and designed by a Scottish architect, has been restored at a cost of eleven point five four crore rupees for public viewing.
In brief
Tamil Nadu's British-era Poosi Forest Palace, built in 1850 and designed by a Scottish architect, has been restored at a cost of eleven point five four crore rupees for public viewing. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has taken over the restored Poosi Forest Palace, a British-era structure built in eighteen fifty that…
Palace handed over for public viewing
The Public Works Department has handed over the restored Poosi Forest Palace at Poosimalai Kuppam village to the Tamil Nadu Forest Department for public viewing after restoration work.
Decades of neglect before restoration began
The dilapidated palace had been neglected for many decades before a government order for restoration was passed in twenty twenty-two. The entire restoration work cost eleven point five four crore rupees.
Built in eighteen fifty by Jagir of Arani
The Forest Palace was built by Srinivasa Rao Sahib, tenth Jagir of Arani region, in eighteen fifty. It was designed by Scottish architect William Pogson, who also built Spencer Plaza in Chennai.
Palace used for hunting expeditions
The palace, spread across twelve thousand square feet, was used as a camp for Sahib during hunting expeditions with his British friends.It was located at the centre of S.U.
Advanced features for the time
The palace had four bedrooms with attached bathrooms, chimneys for a fireplace, and a separate kitchen building with five rooms. A pigeon loft between the palace and kitchen was used for communication through pigeons.
Modern technology in British construction
The palace combined traditional building expertise with modern technologies. Jagir used steel joists and brick jelly for the roof, and imported structural steel pillars from Glasgow in Scotland for rainwater disposal.
Restoration work completed in mid-twenty twenty-four
Restoration began in mid-twenty twenty-four using historical records and photographs from the British era. Artisans from Pollachi and Madurai were roped in to restore the palace before handover to the Forest Department.
At a glance
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has taken over the restored Poosi Forest Palace, a British-era structure built in eighteen fifty that had deteriorated for decades before restoration began in mid-twenty twenty-four.
