Chepauk Palace

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A panoramic view of Chepauk Palace

Chepauk Palace was the official residence of the Nawab of Arcot from 1768 to 1855. It is situated in
the neighbourhood of Chepauk in [Chennai], India and is constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style of
architecture.

 1HistoryHistory[edit]
By the end of the Carnatic Wars, the previously independent kingdom of the Carnatic had virtually
become a protectorate of the British East India Company. The Nawab Muhammed Ali Khan
Wallajah was a close friend and ally of the British and was dependent on Company troops for his
protection. So, in 1764, he thought of constructing a palace for himself within the ramparts of Fort St
George.[1] However, due to space constraints, Wallajah was forced to abandon his plans and instead
constructed a palace at Chepauk, a few miles to the south of the fort.[1]
When the principality of Carnatic was abolished in 1855 as per the Doctrine of Lapse, the Chepauk
Palace was brought to auction to pay off the Nawab's debts and was eventually purchased by the
Madras government.[2] The palace functioned as the office of the revenue board and the Public Works
Department (PWD) Secretariat.[2] In 1871, Robert Chisholm constructed a new records office and a
revenue board building.[3]

Chepauk Palace in Chennai, c. 1905

Chepauk Palace, Madras - Tucks Oilette (1907)[4]

Architecture[edit]
The Chepauk Palace comprises two blocks—the northern block is known as Kalsa Mahal while the
southern block is known as Humayun Mahal.[1] The palace is built over an area of 117 acres and is
surrounded by a wall.[1]