RESEARCH SYNOPSIS

ON
KRISHNAPURAM PALACE
KERALA

SUBMITTED BY
YADHUNANDHAN E
B.ARCH SECOND YEAR (DAY)
INDRODUCTION
The Krishnapuram Palace is a palace and museum located in
Kayamkulam near Alappuzha in Alappuzha district, Kerala in
southwestern India. It was built in the 18th century by Anizham Thirunal
Marthanda Varma (1729–1758 CE), the Travancore kingdom.
The Krishnapuram Palace, as one of the finest and rarest examples of a
typical Keralite-style architecture, known in the local language as
Pathinarukettu, is complete with gabled roofs, narrow corridors and
dormer windows. It is a miniature replica of Padmanabhapuram Palace,
which was the headquarters of Travancore Rajas.
The palace complex originally encompassed a total land area of 56
acres (23 ha). However, over the years, as the monarchic rule ended,
the palace was completely neglected and fell to disuse, and was
dilapidated. Many of the buildings surrounding the main palace of the
Maharaja got demolished or destroyed and the palace complex got
reduced to a mere 2.55 acres (1.03 ha) enclosed within a 10 feet (3.0 m)
high compound wall. The main palace, which was run down, was rebuilt
to its original state as a three storied monument by the Archaeological
Department of Kerala in the 1950s. The rare documents and artefacts
which were kept at other locations were brought back, restored and
eventually exhibited in the palace that has been converted into a
Museum.
The palace restored to its originally built plans, conforming to Vastu
Shastra norms, has 16 blocks or Kettus with four Nadumuttam or open
area in the centre or courtyards. The windows, doors and ventilators
were placed in such a way as to ensure fresh air circulation and natural
lighting in all the rooms. There are 22 rooms (which open into the shady
internal courtyards) with ornamental wooden partitions with carvings.
Additional openings were provided to prevent any negative effects of
"Murmavedham." (Secret effects). The building is set with verandas
(passages) all round to protect the outer walls getting damaged due to
rains. The materials used in its construction consisted of laterite stones,
rubble, teak, rosewood and Angili wood. Roofing (red-tiled gabled[11]) is
steep and tiled with Mangalore tiles, which accentuates the beauty of the
structure. A special feature of the carpentry adopted in building the
palace consisted of wooden hinges and locks for doors and windows,
instead of metallic fittings and fixtures. The flooring consists of polished
wood and also of black and red oxide-coated concrete. The steps are
made of polished granite blocks. Aesthetic beauty of the palace has
been further enhanced by the special designs of straight, curved and
spiral staircases and sunshades.

AIM
To study about the architecture , planing of Krishnapuram palace
Which is a traditional pathinarukettu palace in Kerala.

OBJECTIVES
1. To study the history behind the palace .
2.To study the architectural style of the palace .
3.To study the features of vernacular.
4.To study the social impact of this Krishnapuram palace.
SECONDARY SOURCES

DRAWINGS