Photo 212/3(34)

Genre: Architectural Photography

View looking across the courtyard towards the main façade of the palace. Lyon's 'Notes to accompany a series of photographs prepared to illustrate the ancient architecture of Southern India' (Marion and Co., London, 1870), edited by James Fergusson, gives the following description of this photograph: 'Ramnad. Returning to Paumben, it is easy to engage a ferry-boat to cross to the mainland, and after twenty-five miles of toiling through the sand over a wild and dreary country, Ramnad is reached; there an excellent house is kept for the reception of travellers, who are fed and lodged at the expense of the Rajah, to whom this district has lately been ceded by the British. 364 - gives a front view of his Palace, which cannot be said to belong to a very high style of architecture. However nothing can exceed his kindness and civility, and the traveller availing himself of his bullocks, which he is sure to offer, Nina Covill may be reached the first night, a distance of twenty-three miles. It is said there was here a temple dedicated to snake-worship, but nothing of the sort is to be found. From hence, in another night, Calliar Covill can be reached, the distance being twenty-seven miles. There is excellent camping-ground, under trees, close to the pagoda, which, according to Hindu history, was 'created' 17,000 years ago, by the Emperor Chakravartee.'