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| Turner’s Choultry Visakhapatnam yovizag.com |
In the heart of Visakhapatnam stands an imposing yet weathered witness to the city’s late 19th-century transition from a quiet coastal town to a bustling colonial hub. Turner’s Choultry, a stone masonry edifice built in the 1890s, remains one of the few surviving examples of "Traveller’s Houses" (Chattrams) that once defined the hospitality and civic infrastructure of Andhra Pradesh.
Historical Foundations and Philanthropy
In the wake of introduction of the railroad and construction of a civil dispensary and hospital, the coastal town of Visakhapatnam saw a sudden spurt in growth and lots of visitors daily started visiting the town to board the train or to visit the newly built hospital. So. to meet the needs of the people from nearby villages, the Rajah of Bobbili, being charitable, had a choultry with basic amenities built as a memorial to the District Collector HG (Henry Gribble) Turner_1843-1920 former district collector of Vizagapatam.
The origin of Turner’s Choultry is deeply rooted in the explosive growth Visakhapatnam experienced at the end of the 19th century. In the wake of introduction of the railroad and construction of a civil dispensary and hospital, the coastal town of Visakhapatnam saw a sudden spurt in growth and lots of visitors. With the expansion of the railways and the establishment of the Government Civil Hospital (now King George Hospital), the city saw a sudden influx of traders, pilgrims, and middle-class travelers. Recognizing a desperate need for affordable lodging, the Rajah of Bobbili proposed a memorial for Henry Gribble Turner, a former District Collector.
The construction was a triumph of collective philanthropy. The site, historically known as Enugula Thota (Elephant Lines)—where the 104th Regiment once trained and bathed elephants—was gifted by Maharaja Gode Narayana Gajapathi Row. Financial backing came from the region's most prominent figures: Pusapati Ananda Gajapathi Raju of Vizianagaram donated ₹10,000, a sum matched by the Gode family, while the public contributed the remainder to reach the final construction cost of ₹43,000.
Architectural Excellence: The Ashlar Fine Structure
Architecturally, the Choultry is a masterpiece of ashlar stone masonry. Measuring 90 feet by 60 feet, the rectangular building sits on an impressive four-foot raised plinth, granting it a commanding presence. The facade features a grand arched doorway and imposing stone pillars that lead into a layout inspired by the traditional Indian courtyard home
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| Turner's choultry, vizag, AP researchgate.net |
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| Turner’s Choultry with verandah youtube.com |
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| Turner’s Choultry with court yard Justdial.com |
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| Turner’s Choultry Visakhapatnam yovizag.com |
The interior is organized around three central courtyards, providing natural light and ventilation—a necessity for the coastal climate. Originally, the building housed 24 rooms distributed along corridors that ran around the courtyards. While the roof originally featured spot tiles, these were later replaced by Mangalore tiles. The precision of the "solid bind" masonry, using uniform, well-dressed stones, speaks to the high level of craftsmanship available in the 1890s.
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| location map Turner's choultry. iab.me |
Present Status and the Need for Conservation
For decades, the Choultry was a "money spinner" for the Visakhapatnam Corporation, serving millions of travelers. In 1975, administration was transferred to the Endowments Department. Today, the building’s role has shifted; it primarily hosts small weddings, religious festivals, and art exhibitions for nominal fees.
However, the passage of time has not been kind. The historic edifice is currently in a shabby, altered state. Although renovation efforts were initiated, they were halted due to a severe cash crunch, leaving the structure in a state of "stalled restoration." Heritage conservationists, such as Edward Paul, have highlighted the urgent need for government intervention. As a rare link to the city’s colonial-era growth and its history of royal patronage, Turner’s Choultry requires immediate and sensitive conservation to ensure that this stone sentinel does not crumble into obscurity.
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2023/12/turners-choultry-visakhapatnam-ap-19th.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/48368708.cms?utm_s
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150827/nation-current-affairs/article/turners-choultry-begs-attention
https://www.yovizag.com/vizag-famous-heritage-buildings/#google_vignette
K. N. Jayaraman (Author: navrangindia.blogspot.com)
