The renovation of the 140-year-old British-era combined court building in Pudukottai, Trichy, is now complete. The Public Works Department (PWD) heritage wing undertook the project at a cost of Rs 14.92 crore and executed the work without compromising the building's heritage value.
Traditional Materials Used
To preserve the structure's heritage character, the department used traditional materials such as lime, jaggery, kadukkai, egg white, marble powder, sithukal, and river sand. All Madras terrace, Mangalore tile roofs, and jack arch roofs have been renovated while retaining their heritage value. Damaged brick walls were strengthened and restored using traditional lime mortar plastering. Ceiling rafters, doors, and windows were replaced with new teak wood rafters and planks to restore the building to its original glory. Necessary electrical works were also carried out to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the structure, according to a PWD source.
Architectural Features
The building is a two-storey (G+1) masonry structure founded on stone-stepped strip footings. It features two tower minarets, along with 25 spires attached to the main structure. The minarets are hexagonal in shape and include arches, a heritage mechanical clock, and a rook-type spiral staircase, the source added.
Inauguration and History
The complex was inaugurated by Supreme Court judge Justice M M Sundresh. The building, which had deteriorated due to prolonged exposure to climatic conditions, was taken up for restoration following the Tamil Nadu government's announcement in the 2023–2024 budget. It was constructed between 1878 and 1883 by the then Pudukottai king, Marthanda Bairava Thondaiman. Designed in the Indo-Sarcenic architectural style by renowned British architect Robert Chisholm, the structure embodied the vision of organized governance and administrative authority in the princely state. During the kingdom period, it housed diwan offices, the darbar hall, and judicial offices. In the post-Independence period, the building has been used by various government departments, the source said.
