[1]Overbury's Folly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The folly is located on a hill near Thalassery District Court and is adjacent to a park. It slopes down from the sub-collector's bungalow to the rocks below and is named after its builder, E. N. Overbury, a Briton who served as a local judge at Thalassery in the 1870s.
In 1879, Overbury wanted to construct a picnic spot at the cliff. He couldn't complete it, but the spot later earned the name "Overbury's Folly". The folly commands sweeping views of the Arabian Sea.
Today, Overbury's Folly has been renovated and redecorated as a tourist attraction. It is frequented by local people in the evenings as a place to relax. A seaside open-air coffee shop has also been opened
Overbury Estate
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[2]
Golghar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Golghar | |
|---|---|
Golghar
| |
| Former names | The Granary at Patna |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Stupa |
| Location | Patna, Bihar, India |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: 25°37′13″N 85°08′22″E |
| Current tenants | Bihar Government |
| Completed | 20 July 1786 |
| Client | Bihar government |
| Owner | Bihar Government |
| Landlord | Bihar Government |
| Height | 29 m |
| Technical details | |
| Diameter | 125m |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Captain John
Maj Gen John Garstin (Source : Survey Of India)
Garstin |
Contents
History
After the devastating famine of 1770, which killed nearly 10 million people in regions of Bengal, Bihar and modern day Bangladesh, Warren Hastings, then Governor-General of India, ordered the construction of this beehive shaped structure for the purpose of storing grains for the British Army.[3] It was conceived and built by Captain John Garstin, an engineer with the East India Company,[4] and has a storage capacity of 140000 tons, it construction was completed on 20 July 1786.A drive to improve the appearance of the structure was begun in 2002.[5]
The architecture
Built in the native Stupa architecture, the building has a foundation of 125m, and a height of 29 m. It is pillarless with a wall of thickness of 3.6 m at the base. One can climb atop the Golghar through the 145 steps of its spiral stairway around the monument. The spiral staircase was designed so as to facilitate the passage of the coolies, who had to carry grain-bags up one flight, deliver their load through a hole at the top, and descend the other stairs.The top of the Golghar presents a wonderful panoramic view of the city and the Ganges flowing nearby. At time of its construction, it was the tallest building in Patna.
Golghar has never been filled to its maximum capacity and there are no plans to do so. The reason for this is a flaw whereby the doors are designed to open inwards. Thus, if it is filled to its maximum capacity, then the doors will not open.Presently renovation of this historical monument is in underway.
Gallery
- Golghar, Patna, painting of 1888
- Gol Ghar, Patna, a 19th century painting
- Gol Ghar, Patna 19th century painting
References
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Golghar |
- Jump up ^ Golghar, 1888 Victoria & Albert Museum.
- Jump up ^ "Destinations :: Patna".
- Jump up ^ Golghar
- Jump up ^ Golghar Directorate of Archaeology, Govt. of Bihar, official website.
- Jump up ^ Development of Golghar as tourist site in limbo The Times of India, February 15, 2002
[3]AT Mehrauli Archaeological Park near Qutab Minar and the Nicholson Cemetery at Kashmere Gate.
The only landlocked lighthouse, this is a stone canopy built on a huge mound of grass. It was built by Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe in the mid-19th century. One can see the towering Qutab Minar and a stunning panoramic view of the city from here.
Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe (1745–1813), 1st Bt, Director of the East India Company
The only landlocked lighthouse, this is a stone canopy built on a huge mound of grass. It was built by Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe in the mid-19th century. One can see the towering Qutab Minar and a stunning panoramic view of the city from here.
Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe (1745–1813), 1st Bt, Director of the East India Company
by unknown artist Date painted: c.1805
Metcalfe was an officer of the British East India Company, and the Governor-General’s Resident at the Imperial court of Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in early 19th century Delhi. He ran the ‘Delhi territory’ from 1835 to 1853.
Metcalfe was a unique character. He built himself the palatial “Metcalfe House” near present day ISBT, which is unfortunately out of access to the public after being converted into a Government office. After passing into the hands of the Government, it served as the Central Legislative Assembly in the 1920s, eventually paving the way for the Rajya Sabha, until the inauguration of the Parliament House in New Delhi. The colonial house was originally built to challenge the Red fort itself. It had a huge library with over 20,000 books, rare artifacts and Napolean memorabilia, but much of this treasure was destroyed during the Uprising of 1857.
Front View of Metcalfe’s House, today an inaccessible Govt building in North Delhi
Back view of Metcalfe’s House (called Matka House by locals who couldn’t pronounce the British Resident’s name in those days)
Metcalfe’s House after being battered in the 1857 Uprising
Metcalfe also built the quaint “Dilkhusha” (Heart’s Delight) as a retreat for himself…an old Mughal period tomb near the Qutb Minar converted into a house for relaxing in the rainy season! He altered the landscape, created water-courses around the tomb, and even built a boathouse and a lighthouse! That’s not all- the cenotaph of the Mughal lying there (Muhammad Quli Khan, a relative of Akbar) was removed to make way for Metcalfe’s dining table. Today the remains of this retreat can be seen inside the sea of fascinating ruins at Mehrauli Archaeological Park. The interior can still dazzle visitors with its profusion of intricate work in blue paint. From the balcony, the view of the Qutb is enchanting.
Muhammad Quli Khan’s tomb in Mehrauli, converted into his retreat “Dilkhusha” by British Resident Thomas Metcalfe
Inside Metcalfe’s Dilkhusha
Intricate work on the inside of the tomb
Who wouldn’t want a retreat here?
From Metcalfe’s collection- The retreat in the 1800s, with beautiful landscaping and a view of the Qutb
Another view of Dilkhusha, with Adam Khan’s tomb in the background (today near the Mehrauli bus stand)
Metcalfe also built quaint pavilions and ziggurat-like structures near the Qutb, to mimic old ruins and add to the charm of his estate. These odd buildings are collectively referred to as “Metcalfe’s folly” today 
All of these created an idyllic ambience for relaxing in the monsoons. Metcalfe is even said to have leased out his retreat to honeymooning couples!
All of these created an idyllic ambience for relaxing in the monsoons. Metcalfe is even said to have leased out his retreat to honeymooning couples!
Metcalfe’s Folly, aptly named, with a view of Jamali Kamali and Qutb Minar. Such a picnic spot!
Another one of Metcalfe’s Follies
One of the two ziggurats added as a folly to enhance the look of Metcalfe’s estate. It is also called Garhgaj.
Another ziggurat by the Qutb. Can be seen to the left of the main entrance of the Qutb Complex
Children having a good time climbing the steps of Metcalfe’s folly
Despite his peculiarities, Metcalfe’s one love was the heritage of “Delhie”. He ordered a series of paintings and sketches of the monuments & ruins of this city, to be created by local Delhi artists. The paintings were compiled into an album called Reminiscences of Imperial Delhi (or Dehlie Book) in 1844. It was then sent to his daughter Emily as she started from England, where she had been studying, to join him in Delhi. The original album is now part of the British Library.
So what’s so exciting about this Delhie book? It has over a hundred paintings of both Mughal and Sultanate period monuments that make Delhi so special, and also includes scenes from the daily life of “natives” in those days. Metcalfe added descriptions and stories to these pictures, often in emotional language and in beautiful calligraphy. The album also has historical value, for many of the structures were destroyed or damaged in the Uprising that followed only a few years later. What that means for my blog, dear reader, is a series of “then and now” pictures that I won’t be able to resist! Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you 
Emily Metcalfe on her part wrote a diary of her times in Delhi, a nostalgic account of days spent at the Mehrauli retreat, and of picnics on top of the Qutb Minar itself! Can you even begin to imagine that? Step by step up the spiral stairwell, basket of fruit in hand, until you reach the top of the tallest minaret in the country? What a sweeping view of the city that would give! You can read her accounts in the book “The Golden Calm: An English Lady’s Life in Moghul Delhi: Reminiscences by Emily, Lady Clive Bayley, and by her father Sir Thomas Metcalfe“. A whole different world that was!
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