The 17th century Rani Mangammal Mahal, served as the Collector’s Office for a long time in Trichy until the Collectorate moved into a new spacious building with better amenities. The old heritage structure is almost restored to its original glory under a conservation effort taken up by the Public Works Department (PWD) of the Tamil Nadu State Government.
 |
| Trichy Old Collectorate thehindu.com |
 |
| Rani Mangammal building Old Collectorate Trichy thehindu.com |
Above image: Project taken up by PWD Building Centre and Conservation Division at an estimate of ₹9.40 crore under way at a fast clip. In March 2024 70% of the restoration work was completed by the PWD’s Building Centre and Conservation Division, according to The Hindu news paper............
 |
| Old Collectorate,Trichy thehindu.com |
The Rani Mangammal Mahal, with a large open space in the front also known as the Old Collectorate Building, is a 17th-century Indo-Saracenic heritage structure located in the heart of Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. Originally constructed around 1666 CE by Chokkanatha Nayak, the palace was named after Rani Mangammal, a powerful queen regent of the Madurai Nayak dynasty. The building served as a royal durbar hall during the Nayak era and was later repurposed as the District Collector’s office under British colonial rule.
The building's architecture is a blend of Nayak and Indo-Saracenic styles, with imposing arched verandahs, stucco ornamentation, circular colonnades, minarets, and an elephant passageway. The structure shares stylistic features with the Thirumalai Nayak Mahal in Madurai — high domes, horseshoe arches, and large halls that promote natural ventilation.
In 2020, the Tamil Nadu government initiated a major restoration project through the Public Works Department (PWD) to preserve the building’s heritage. The total allocation for the project is approximately ₹9.40 crore, executed by the Building Centre and Conservation Division of the PWD. Restoration was scheduled in phases, with 70% of work completed by the end of 2023, and the remaining expected to be finished by mid-2024.
The renovation emphasizes the use of authentic, traditional materials, including lime mortar, Athangudi tiles,(primarily made in Chettinad) Mangalore roofing tiles, and iron girders. Skilled artisans from Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, and even Jharkhand were employed to carefully restore intricate plasterwork and faded murals. Nearly 20 layers of lime and whitewash were removed to uncover original Nayak-era paintings. Murals are being restored using natural dyes and traditional techniques to ensure historical accuracy.
The building currently houses the Government Museum, Trichy, which had been relocated temporarily during renovation. Once restoration is complete, the museum will be reinstated with improved lighting, digital kiosks, interactive displays, and climate-controlled storage for artefacts, including ancient coins, Chola bronzes, palm-leaf manuscripts, and rare inscriptions.
This conservation effort is part of Tamil Nadu’s broader initiative to restore 27 heritage buildings across the state, with an overall budget exceeding ₹100 crore. The project not only aims to preserve architectural legacy but also to promote cultural tourism and educational outreach.
.jpg)
