 |
| Old Kadapa collectorate building AP newindianexpress.com |
The old Kadapa Collectorate stands as one of the most significant reminders of British colonial administration in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. Constructed in the late eighteenth century, the building served for nearly two centuries as the nerve centre of district administration and witnessed the transition from colonial rule to independent Indian governance. Among the notable administrators associated with this historic structure was Sir Thomas Munro, who served as the first principal collector, making the building an important landmark in the administrative history of South India.
 |
| Restored old Collectorate, Kadapa,AP dishadaily.com |
Architecturally, the Kadapa Collectorate exemplifies the restrained yet functional colonial civic style adapted to Indian climatic conditions. Built using locally available materials, the structure features thick masonry walls, high ceilings, spacious corridors, and wide verandahs that ensured ventilation and thermal comfort in a hot, semi-arid region. The symmetry of the plan, arched openings, and simple classical detailing reflect British engineering pragmatism rather than ornamentation, making the building both durable and dignified. Its commanding presence once symbolised authority, order, and governance for generations of citizens who frequented its halls.
However, following the shifting of district administration to a newly constructed collectorate complex, the historic building has fallen into severe neglect. Today, the premises are used for vehicle parking and as an informal dumping ground for garbage. Plaster peels off the walls, structural cracks are visible, and unchecked exposure to the elements has raised serious concerns about the building’s stability. What was once a proud symbol of governance is now on the verge of irreversible decay.
Historians and heritage conservationists, particularly the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), have repeatedly stressed the cultural and architectural value of the old collectorate. INTACH representatives have urged the State government to protect the building by declaring it the Dr YSR Art and Cultural Heritage Museum. The proposal includes relocating artefacts currently housed in Mahaveer and Mylavaram museums and developing the premises into a state-level cultural institution.
Suggestions include creating an open-air theatre, landscaped grounds with fountains and statues of prominent regional figures, architectural lighting, and a digital library. Such adaptive reuse, on the lines of the Salar Jung Museum, would not only preserve the structure but also transform it into a vibrant centre for education, tourism, and cultural engagement.
The colonial Kadapa Collectorate is more than an old building—it is a tangible link to the region’s administrative, architectural, and social past. Preserving it is not merely an act of conservation, but a responsibility toward history and future generations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhmCCWF-8wE
Official Portal of YSR Kadapa District - History and Heritage Sections (2026 update).
Kadapa District Gazetteers and INTACH (Kadapa Chapter) Reports.
_7.jpg)
