| British Residency Government Guest House | |
|---|---|
 British Residency inAsramam | |
  Location within Kollam city Show map of Kollam British Residency (Kerala) Show map of Kerala British Residency (India) Show map of India | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | European-Indian-Tuscan |
| Location | Asramam,Kollam city,India |
| Coordinates | 8°53′52″N76°35′10″E / 8.897906°N 76.586191°E /8.897906; 76.586191 |
| Construction started | 1811 |
| Completed | 1819 |
| Client | Col. John Munro |
| Design and construction | |
| Engineer | Captain Arthur |
TheBritish Residency, also known as theGovernment Guest House orResidency Bungalow, is a two-storeyedpalace situated atAsramam in the city ofKollam in the Indian state of Kerala. It lies close to the site of the oldKollam Airport situated atAsramam in the city[1] and was built byColonel John Munro between 1811 and 1819. It is a noted Kollam landmark like theChinnakada Clock Tower.
The British residency vali unique symmetry and harmonious blending of variegated artistic features. During theBritish Raj, the building served as the British Residency. It was built during theTravancore era byGowri Parvati Bayi whenColonel John Munro was the British Resident.[2][3] A blend ofEuropean,Indian andTuscan architecture, the central portion of the building has a rounded front, with a large gable decoration. Atop the building there is a crown with a lion seated on it, with the mottoDieu et mon Droit (God and my right) inscribed above. The 10 feet (3.0 m) entrance doors are made up of glass panes. The conference hall in the palace has an antechamber with an adjustable partition-like door while a large fanlight arching over divides the two rooms. The building has rich wooden flooring on the upper storey. The walls of the conference hall having cornices and dentils bordering the four sides with embossed designs of festoons, urns, and floral forms. A motif of a large arch with an ornamental keystone, resting on pillars is embossed over the main doorway. The Edward Rose garden is another main attraction of the mansion.[4]
Antique prints in polished wooden frames adorn the walls including one that depicts thebattle of Seringapatnam, dating from 1802. Prof. Pandala has described the Residency as "one of the most elegant buildings in India".[5]
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