Kuttikkanam Palace: Soon-to-be Historical Monument 

  • August 6, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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Kuttikkanam Palace: Soon-to-be Historical Monument 

Subject :History

Section: Art and Culture

Context:

The 130-year-old Kuttikkanam Palace, once the summer residence of the kings of erstwhile Travancore, is set to be declared a historical monument.

Why is the Kuttikkanam Palace soon to be declared a historical monument?

  • Former summer residence of Travancore kings.
  • Verified eligibility under the Ancient Monuments Act and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958..

What are the key historical and other details of the Palace?

  • Built around 1890 during Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma‘s reign.
  • Additions made in the 1900s.
  • Known as “Ammachi Kottaram” previously.
  • Documented history since 1892.
  • Situated on 14 acres of land.
  • Special hall for administrative discussions.
  • Houses a stud farm showcasing royal lifestyle.

What is Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act?

  • It is an Act to provide for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance, for the regulation of archaeological excavations and for the protection of sculptures, carvings and other like objects.
  • It extends to the whole of India.
  • The AMASR Act, 1958, was amended in 2010 to declare the 100-metre radius of protected monuments as prohibited areas and the next 300-metre radius as regulated areas.

What is Ancient Monument and antiquity?

  • Ancient Monument means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than 100 years and includes—
    • remains of an ancient monument,
    • site of an ancient monument,
    • such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument as may be required for fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving such monument, and
    • the means of access to, and convenient inspection of, an ancient monument.
  • Antiquity includes.—
    • any coin, sculpture, manuscript, epigraph, or other work of art of craftsmanship,
    • any article, object or thing detached from a building or cave,
    • any article, object or thing illustrative of science, art, crafts, literature, religion, customs, morals or politics in bygone ages,
    • any article, object or thing of historical interest, and
    • any article, object or thing declared by the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette to be an antiquity for the purposes of this Act, which has been in existence for not less than one hundred years.

What are the steps required to declare the Palace a historical monument?

  • Obtain and verify revenue details.
  • Seek government notification for declaration.

What is the historical connection between the Palace and the Peermade Sreekrishna Swami temple?

  • Presence of an abandoned tunnel, possible link to Peermade Sreekrishna Swami temple.

How does the declaration of the Kuttikkanam Palace as a monument impact tourism in the region?

  • Becomes a major tourist attraction in Idukki district.
  • Tourism programs organized by the Tourism Promotion Council.
  • Boosts tourism growth and interest in the area.
History Kuttikkanam Palace: Soon-to-be Historical Monument