The Munro Choultry (a traditional rest-house for travelers and pilgrims) near Gooty Fort was commissioned as a public memorial following the death of Sir Thomas Munro in July 1827.
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| Indianvagabond.com |
Above image: The image of choultry building (rest house)cis not available. references related to Sir Thomas Monroe and burial vault are located near the Gooty European cemetery.............
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| Gooty Fort Andhra beyondyatra.com |
History and Origin Commissioning and Purpose:
Following Munro’s sudden death from cholera at Pattikonda, the Governor’s Council in Madras issued an extraordinary Gazette on July 9, 1827, resolving to establish public memorials honoring his service. Aside from his equestrian statue in Madras, funds raised through public subscriptions were earmarked to construct a choultry, a water tank, and a well at Gooty.
Operational Design:
The choultry was built near the foothill of Gooty Fort to serve travelers, merchants, and native pilgrims moving along the dry Ceded Districts routes. It was originally established with a permanent staff funded by the administration to maintain the structure and distribute free drinking water to passers-by.
Architecture: Constructed using stone and hydraulic lime mortar, the choultry integrated native Deccani design elements—such as stone pillars, shaded verandahs, and elevated plinths—to mitigate the intense summer heat of Anantapur.
Current Condition State of Preservation: Unlike the main Gooty Fort ramparts, which receive formal maintenance under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Munro Choultry is in a dilapidated and ruinous state.
Structural Deterioration: The stone pillars and outer walls remain partially intact, but the roof and interior chambers have suffered severe weathering, vegetation overgrowth, and structural neglect.
Conservation Status: While local heritage advocates and historical studies periodically urge the state archaeology department to restore the choultry alongside the nearby European cemetery, dedicated restoration funds have yet to reverse its decay.
https://sriramv.com/2012/10/25/the-munro-statue-part-1
https://www.scribd.com/document/456251518/Gooty
K. N. Jayaraman Ph. D (1977) Univ. of Washington, Seattle.
Retd Earth Scientist. Vocational Interest: Indian Colonial history, architecture of heritage structures,colonial buildings,temples,etc.
(Author: navrangindia.blogspot.com )
