Nostalgic Thiruvananthapuram.... err... Maybe Travancore in 1900.. A tribute to Zacharias D'Cruz

Written and posted by Suresh Kumar BR (content credits to British Library Board)

The photographs of Zacharias D'Cruz, taken from British Library Online galleries (www.bl.uk) as per the Terms and Conditions of Use for the Online Gallery Notes, Favourites, Personal Galleries, and Tag Features. Courtesy (c) British Library Board.  All the Shelfmarks are below the picture

All these Photographs are taken in about 1900 by the Government photographer, Zacharias D'Cruz and added into the album entitled 'Album of South Indian Views' of the Curzon Collection. George Nathaniel Curzon was Under Secretary of State at the Foreign Office between 1895-98 and Viceroy of India between 1898-1905.

I greatly feel that the basic  feeling of nostalgia  is finding your roots and identifying  the relations you have comparing the good old times with the present ones. I would bet that these images and content you would browse below, would be a real treat for anybody, to go back in time, to an ambience of nostalgic charm, of the good old yesteryears.  At least some of you could relate the pictures, to that of the present Trivandrum. Let the party begin.....

^{View of the Public Offices in Trivandrum, in the erstwhile Travancore.}

^{Copyright (c) British Library Board 
Shelfmark: Photo 430/45(6); Item number: 430456; Genre: Photograph}

The Cantonment [Palayam], the Public Offices, the residence of the upper classes, European as well as native, are all beautifully located on small eminences, commanding beautiful scenery all round. This later became the centre of rule of Kerala after independence.  The Legislative Assembly was housed here until a new building was made near Palayam.

^{East entrance & Gopura of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum, in the erstwhile Travancore}

^{Copyright (c) British Library Board 
Shelfmark: Photo 430/45(1); Item number: 430451; Genre: Photograph}

This 9th Century Hindu temple is one of the greatest of Kerala and was the center of rule by the Travancore Kings for 291 years starting from 1700s. The temple Sreekovil, enshrines a large image of Vishnu, spread over three doors, and is built in the typical Kerala style.  The surrounding walls and towers are similar to those of the Dravidian architecture of Tamil Nadu. The imposing gopura or entrance gateway consists of ascending storeys ending with a vaulted roof and reflect the contemporary Nayaka style of architecture.

^{The Band-Stand in the Public Gardens in Trivandrum}

^{Copyright (c) British Library Board 
Shelfmark: Photo 430/45(13); Item number: 4304513; Genre: Photograph}

The idea of establishing a Public Garden in Trivandrum was sanctioned by the Maharaja Uthram Thirunal in 1859 and was to be accomplished under the direction of John Allan Broun, the Government Astronomer. Several interesting botanical specimens were reared in the garden from seeds and cuttings procured from Bangalore and other cities. In 1879, the Curatorship was abolished and the management of the museum and the gardens was placed under a Committee consisting of the British Resident and three European members. In 1897-98, the institutions were placed under an officer called "Director of the Government Museum and Public Gardens". The Band-Stand shown here was re-built in the early 1900s.

^{A distant view of the Central Jail in Thiruvananthapuram}

^{Copyright (c) British Library Board 
Shelfmark: Photo 430/45(25); Item number: 4304525; Genre: Photograph}

Central Jail building before the occupation of being a jail served as the barracks for the Nayar Brigade, where prisoners serving short-terms were confined. These prisoners were locked up at night and guarded by Jail warders and brigade sepoys. A large number of them were employed in the making and repairing of roads both at Trivandrum and at Quilon (Kollam).  Others in small groups, were made to work day to day for garden work in the Palaces, Hospitals, Sirkar buildings and Public Gardens. There was also a hospital in a seperate building, attached to the jail premises.

^{A view of the Chief Engineer's Office, Trivandrum in the erstwhile Travancore State}

^{Copyright (c) British Library Board 
Shelfmark: Photo 430/45(18); Item number: 4304518; Genre: Photograph}

^{Christ Church and cemetry in Trivandrum in the erstwhile Travancore State}

^{Copyright (c) British Library Board 
Shelfmark: Photo 430/45(11); Item number: 4304511; Genre: Photograph}

The Church, belonged to the London Missionary Society and is situated in the Cantonment area Palayam.

^{University College, Trivandrum in the erstwhile Travancore State}

^{Copyright (c) British Library Board 
Shelfmark: Photo 430/45(7); Item number: 430457; Genre: Photograph}

Even though the University college was founded in the year 1834 by the Government of Travancore during the reign of His Highness Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, the building was completed in 1970 by His Highness Sri Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja of Travancore.  John Ross of the Edinburgh University was the Principal. This building still stands as the main block of the University College.

^{General Hospital, Trivandrum in erstwhile Travancore State}

^{Copyright (c) British Library Board 
Shelfmark: Photo 430/45(9); Item number: 430459; Genre: Photograph}

This hospital was opened on 9th November 1865 by the Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma in person.

^{Kowdiar Palace, of the Travancore Royal Family}

^{Copyright (c) British Library Board 
Shelfmark: Photo 430/45(2); Item number: 430452; Genre: Photograph}

This is the front view of the Kowdiar palace that shows the main range from the driveway.  It is the official residence of the Travancore Royal Family. Kowdiar Palace's architectural work is famous and has over 150 rooms.

(Suresh Kumar is based at Thiruvananthapuram and blogs at http://thesouthreports.com)