1. Draft Report for discussion Jan 2009 Chapter
The principal front is distinguished by an enormous portico of
The construction of the building started in 1803 under the
Corinthian order. On the three points of the pediment there used to be
supervision of James Achilles Kirkpatrick and continued by Samuel
three statues (Temperance, Berceuse and Bacchus)[1], and in the
Russell after the death of the former on October 15th, 1805[1]. In the
center the company’s arms in Altorillievo. The Corinthian columns are
Russell’s report on the status of the Residency building written in
formed of white chunam, beautifully polished, and extend from the
1806, the building is still incomplete and is not habitable. Though the
base, which is on the summit of a noble flight of 22 steps, to the top of
building was occupied at a later date modifications and additions
the upper storey. On each side of this flight of steps stands a Lion
were done as per the individual taste of the Resident and needs of
(earlier it used to be colossal sphinx). The portico, the cornices, and
the Resident’s office.
Corinthian columns, are ornamental in the richest style, executed in
white chunam, and forming most appropriate and elegant decorations.
[1] Report of Henry Russell, 1806
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2. Draft Report for discussion Jan 2009 Chapter
Main house base storey:
The base storey of the main house is spanned through a
series of vaults in the east west direction. This floor opens to the south
through an arcaded corridor which also connects the main house to
the eastern and western wings.
The 1806 Russell’s report describes that the base storey has
Aubdar Khana [1], and the Hookhaburdeen Khana[2]. It also says that
there are many other divisions capable of being converted into office,
behind and in front is the treasury fitted up every convenience and
strongly secured with iron gates and iron grating.
As per J.A.K’s correspondence, the base storey was used as
sleeping quarters during summers. One of the engravings in the walls
found during the cleaning of debris in the basement storey describes
the use of space as a Stamp room.
A small porch opens upon the offices on the basement floor,
where is also the treasury constantly guarded by a party of native
soldiers.
Wings
The east wing which communicates with the body of the house
on the south side by an arcade contained the kitchen baking house,
dairy and other offices appertaining thereto and above is three
apartments situated in the center of the wing intended to be sleeping
rooms.
The west wing which communicates with the house in the
same manner as that on the east, contained the bath, button rooms,
the tailor’s and washer men’s rooms and above in the center of the
wing are the first and second assistant apartments and records office.
The walls with a colonnade leading to the empress gate from
the wings were added with rooms on their back side were used as
offices, printing press, staff rooms, storage etc.
[1] Aubdar Khana
[2] Hookhaburdeen Khana
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First Floor
From this porch you go into a hall of the same length, and formerly of
The northern front of the building, which is the entrance for European
the same height, but now divided by Captain Sydenham into two
visitors, consists of an open flight of steps, leading to a portico, paved
stories - Sir James Mackintosh, while Recorder of Bombay, visited his
with alternate squares of black and white marbles, and the pediment is
friends Captain Sydenham at Hyderabad, in December 1808
supported by six composite pillars. From the portico of the Corinthian
order, sixty feet long, thirty four in width and forty feet in high, you enter
a great hall which includes in its height the apartments of the second
floor; on the right hand and on the left of the hall you pass into large
oval rooms each having in front same circular porticos of the Doric
order. These rooms are twenty feet in height, communicate with four
other, forming a complete suite of apartments and have with it private
staircase leading to the second floor, and on to the top of the house.
Out of the two oval rooms, one was used as a dining room, the other as
a library, family drawing room. The four smaller square rooms at the
corners were used as offices (first Resident’s office, antechamber of
the Resident), billiard. The Durbar hall was used for ceremonial
engagements and the oval rooms for the office of the Resident. From
the Durbar hall you enter into a grand circular stair case with a dome.
Second floor
You ascend to the second floor of the house by the grand circular
staircase before mentioned, you pass into the gallery of the great hall
which communicate with a gallery in the north portico, on the right hand
and on the left of the gallery in the hall are doors which lead into the
rooms on the east and west side of this floor.
These are divided exactly in the same manner as those underneath,
and are intended for sleeping rooms. The east orb room on this floor
used to have a handsome marble chimney price, and the ceilings of all
the rooms are neatly finished with stucco was used as a drawing room
sixty feet by forty feet.
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The west wing also communicates with the house in the same manner
The south front has a double height Doric colonnade over the balcony
as that on the east. From the wings is a wall with a colonnade leading
with wooden louvers giving shade. The former British Residency
to the bank of the river Moosy, at the termination of this wall is a
consists of a basement storey, of arches, and two others above it with
handsome gateway, known as Empress Gateway. The approach
wings, connected, by a continuation of the basement storey of arches
leading to the main house while coming through the empress gate
finished with a balustrade. You enter the base story of the great house
surrounded by walls of the wings gives magnificent views of the main
on the south storey is arched through out. a stair case on each side from
house. This axial approach highlights the significance of the main
the center of the base storey on the southern side leads to a landing of a
building. It was said that architecture of such grand scale was used as
Doric order portico. The east wing which communicate with the body of
a means to show superiority[1].
the house on the south side by an arcade and above are thee large
rooms situated in the center of the wing used as sleeping rooms.
[1] Phillip Davies
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