British Travellers Bungalow at Mathikalam

Local residents are protestingg for the preservation of a historically important building constructed by the British
East India company in Mathilakam near Kodungallur.

British Travellers Bungalow was constructed by British using laterite stone and limestone in 1820, is now in a state of ruin due to the neglect of concerned authorities.

The bungalow was used as rest house by police officers during the period of British Raj. The structure has got some close relation with Malabar Manual because William Logan - the author of the publication had stayed in the bungalow in year 1879 to write the first edition of the Malabar manual.

Malabar Manual is a true guide to the history of Malabar district under the Presidency of Madras in British India.

The structure comprising two rooms and a verandah was constructed in 1820 and it came to be used as a bungalow in the 1840s when H V Conolly was Malabar district collector. It was used by British police officers for short stays when they travelled on Canoly Canal. The 'kadavu' where they used to stop the boat is known as Bungalow Kadavu. British police officers used to stay at the rest house when they took prisoners to
British court in Ponnani.

However, after India's Independence the bungalow was used as the Pappinivattam village office until five years ago.

The bungalow has got a space in the book Mathilakam History written by O.C Silvery from Mathilakam.
Bungalow is located on the banks of Canoly Canal and is close to the Musiris Heritage Project.

Authorities should take steps to protect this nearly 200-year old monument.
Residents near the bungalow requests the government to preserve the structure and convert it as a historical place. As it is situated near the Canoly Canal, tourists can be attracted.

Residents urge for the preservation of the bungalow to be included in the Muziris Heritage Project being undertaken in Kodunagllur.


At the time of Chilapathikaram festival which was held as a part of Biennale in Kochi, political leaders had promised that a statue of Ilango Adigal, who penned the famous Tamil epic Silappathikaram at Mathilakam, would be erected near Bungalow Kadavu.