Kodaikanal - History
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Kodaikanal - History
Travel to Hills in the Past
In the very early days, most of the visitors to the hills came from Madurai. They had to walk in the steep grueling way. The popular route was from Periakulam to Kistnamma Naik Tope by road through bullock carts & Rom Tope through the hills. One has to climb 2000 metres height by foot paths. This route was called Coolie Ghat Road.Those who were not able to walk can hire dhoolies (a sort of palanquins) carried by hirers. Some went up by riding ponies. There were many risks. Some dacoits from Kalla tribes came but they soon vanished after seeing the high level of protection. Also there were interruptions by appearance of wild beasts like panthers, elephants, bisons etc. Loud noises were made to chase them away.
In the year 1875 Southern Railways extended train route from Chennai to Madurai and Tuticorin. Due to this facility many tourists from far off places visited. They alight at Kodairoad Station and travel by bullock up to Tope and then ascend the climbs.The government deputed Engineer Major Law to study and submit a plan to build a moterable road to the hills. After a long delay, the road was completed in 1914 and at last allowed for traffic in 1916. Public buses began to ply in the road from 1916. The British in India were always looking for places where they could escape the hear and germs of the plains, for salubrious air devioid of malarial vapours, lofty enough to escape the scourge of typhus and other parasites. The number of children’s graves in colonial cemeteries bears, witness to the gravity of thus problem. In South India, with summer temperatures soaring to 45°C, escape plans began in March. The punkahwallas only churned up warm land breezes, gardens began to wilt, children became irritable.
If you happened to be in tea you were lucky, living year round in a climate somewhat like England in spring and summer. But what about the civil servant in trichy, the trader in madras or the army colonel in madurai? Elaborate arrangements had to be made for the women and children, often with a battery of servants, to flee to the hills. Master would follow as and when his work allowed, often with horse and syce in tow. But it wasn’t the British civil servant as much as the American missionary who laid the foundations of modern Kodai. By the earl 1800s several Americans missions were functioning in India and one of these was the American Madura Mission.
There had been many deaths among its staff and it was decided that the need of the hour was a recuperation centre in the hills. By then, Lieutenant Ward had surveyed the Palnis, making his headquarters at Vellagavi. His report of beautiful hills, wonderful climate and accessibility from Periakulam encouraged a slow byt steady trickle of settlers, Coffee had been planted in the lower parts of the hills. In 1845 the American missionaries moved in, building two bungalows on th southern dege of the plateau which is Kodaikanal. They are Sunnyside and Shelton, which still stand; the latter is occupied by an American family with a long connection with American missions in India.
The American Madura Mission was pleased. Kodai was an excellent spot for the restoration of health. There were bitter opponents to this rival of established hill stations such as Ooty. And perhaps a touch of chagrin about Americans invading the hill domains of the British. The settlement of Kodaikanal consists of a dozen or more small and ugly houses. The situation is not well chosen in respect of beauty and scenery. But later there was a change of heart. the houses are picturesquely grouped about a natural theatre of hills. Before the turn of the century, rich Indians were buying property. Kodai was becoming hill station.
Kodaikanal - History
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