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Contemporary Review, retrieved 7/19/2007 [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2242/is_n1540_v264/ai_16044494/pg_2 British cemeteries in India]</ref>In 1895 the American Madurai Mission built the Union Church building.<ref name=Kcom/>
Contemporary Review, retrieved 7/19/2007 [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2242/is_n1540_v264/ai_16044494/pg_2 British cemeteries in India]</ref>In 1895 the American Madurai Mission built the Union Church building.<ref name=Kcom/>


In April 1915, Dr.Van Allen raised funds to construct the first unit of the hospital at the entrance of Coaker's walk. It was named after him. Facilities got updated from time to time and now it has X-ray machine, well equipped pathological lab, and operation theatre with blood transfusion facilities.
In April 1915, Dr.Van Allen raised funds to construct the first unit of the hospital at the entrance of Coaker's walk. It was named after him. Facilities got updated from time to time and now it has an X-ray machine, well equipped pathological lab, and an operation theatre with blood transfusion facilities. Government Hospital was a small municipal hospital until 1927. Now it has X-ray, Dental, Maternity ward and other facilities.<ref>kodaikanal.com, [http://www.kodaikanal.com/hospital.htm|Kodaikanal - Hospitals]</ref>
[[Image:Ida S Scudder.jpg|thumb|200px||Dr. Ida S. Scudder with Mahatma Gandhi, 1928]]
Government Hospital was a small municipal hospital until 1927. Now it has X-ray, Dental, Maternity ward and other facilities.<ref>kodaikanal.com, [http://www.kodaikanal.com/hospital.htm|Kodaikanal - Hospitals]</ref>
In 1953 at a sprightly 82 years old, [[Ida S. Scudder|Dr. Ida S. Scudder]] sat in her bungalow ''Hilltop'' at Kodaikanal, overlooking the [[Vellore Christian Medical College]] and its hospital, which she founded, and opened a stack of letters and telegrams. Her name is a famous one in India. A letter once reached her addressed simply, "Dr. Ida, India." The mail was heavier than usual because friends around the world were congratulating her on winning the Elizabeth Blackwell Citation of the New York Infirmary, as one of five outstanding women doctors of 1952.
<ref>Time Magazine (Feb. 16, 1953) A Family Tradition[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,817967,00.html?promoid=googlep]</ref> She died at age 90, of a circulatory ailment, in Kodaikanal.<ref> biographical information on ISS and the Scudder family, see the inventory for Ida Sophia Scudder, MC 205,Scudder, Ida Sophia, 1870-1960. Papers, 1843-1976 (inclusive), 1888-1960 (bulk) (84-M159) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe College, February 1985 [http://oasis.harvard.edu:10080/oasis/deliver/~sch00898 Ida Scudder papers]</ref>, <ref>Notable American Women, The Modern Period (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1984).</ref>


==Ghat road==
==Ghat road==

Revision as of 17:49, 24 October 2008

The earliest residents of Kodaikanal were the Paliyan tribal people. The earliest specific references to Kodaikanal and the Palani Hills are found in Tamil Sangam literature of the early Christian era.[1] Modern Kodaikanal was established by American missionaries in 1845, as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains. [2] In 1885, The Forest of Creepers was the english language meaning given to the Tamil place name Kodaikanal.[3] and is still accepted. [4]In the 20th century a few elite Indians came to realise the value of this enchanting hill station and started relocating here.[5]

Ancient times

There is archaeological evidence of human habitation in this area before the current era (BCE). Megalithic dolmens dating from early Chera Dynasty times, earthen pots and other artifacts which have been found here prove that the earliest residents of Kodaikanal were the Paliyan tribal people. Some local relics and artifacts of the Paliyans can be seen in the Shenbaganur Museum.[6] The earliest specific references to Kodaikanal and the Palani Hills are found in Tamil Sangam literature of the early Christian era.[1] The earliest modern day settlers of Kodaikanal were 14th century refugees from the Palani foothills who escaped to Kodaikanal from the invasions of Tippu Sultan.[6]

Western settlers

In 1821, the first westerner to visit Kodaikanal, a British Lieutenant, Ward, climbed up from his headquarters in the Kunnavan village of Vellagavi to Kodaikanal to survey the area on the hilly ranges of Palani. His report of a healthy climate in beautiful hills with accessibility from Periakulam encouraged the early settlers.[7] In 1834, Mr. J.C Wroughten, then Sub-Collector of Madura and Mr. C. R. Cotton, a member of the Madras Presidency - Board of Revenue,[8] climbed up the hills from Devadanapatti and built a small bungalow at the head of Adukkam pass near Shenbaganur. In 1836, the noted botanist Dr. Robert Wight visited Kodaikanal and recorded his observations in the 1937 Madras Journal of Literature and Science[9], which were useful to later botanists.[10]

In 1845, the first two bungalows, Sunny Side and Shelton were built by American missionaries from Madurai with the help of an Englishman, Mr. Fane. In 1852, Father Louis Saint Cyr visited Kodaikanal and returned to the plains after finding only four bungalows; Baynes, Parker, Clark and Parday. In 1853, a group of American and British built Kodai's first church building, the Anglican Church of St. Peter.[11]

Sir Charles Edward Trevelyan, Govornor of Madras Presidency,
stayed at Kodaikanal in 1860

In 1860, The Governor of Madras Presidency, Sir Charles Trevelyan visited Kodaikanal and stayed in Roseneath Cottage, which is still occupied. In May of 1860, Father Louis Saint Cyr returned with father Rettary and several Frenchmen, Belgians and Europeans [10], stayed in Baynes bungalow and by September 29 had bought that place to use as a rest house for the members of Christ Church. The bungalow was renamed La-providence in honor a lady with that name who gave Rs. 20,000 for reconstruction of the bungalow. La Salette Chuech was finished and dedicated in 1866.[12]

David Coit Scudder was an American missionary who had been influenced in boyhood to come to India by Rev. Dr. John Scudder, Sr. He was in charge of the large and important station of Periyakulam. He had endeared himself to the Christians of the large village congregations of that station. An enthusiastic young American, his emotions overcame him when he arrived in Kodaikanal in 1862, as he recalled:[13], [14]

"I . . . seized our United States flag, shouted out 'Long may it wave!' . . . at the English collector . . . and did other uncouth things".

David Scudder drowned in the Vaigai River 19 November, 1862 between Andipatti & Periyakulam, 20 months after arriving in Tamilnadu. Interment was in the old Anglican Churchyard, at Kodikanal. The inscription on his headstone is still clearly legible. It reads:

"D.C.S. Missionary of the A.B.C.F.M. In Southern India. Born in Boston, U.S.A. Oct. 27, 1835 Landed at Madras June 26, 1861 Drowned in the Vaigai River Nov. 19, 1862"[15]

In 1867 Major J. M. Partridge of Bombay Army imported Australian Eucalyptus and Wattle trees to Kodaikanal. In 1871, the new Governor of Madras, Lord Napier also visited. His bungalow was named Napier Villa.[11] In 1872 Lt. Coaker cut a path along the steep south east facing ridge which commends a magnificant view of the plains below. The 1 km (.6 mi) path was named after him as Coaker's Walk.[11] These early settlements and visits by important people established Kodai's legitimacy among the Western residents of Tamil Nadu as an accepted alternative to Ootacamund as a summer retreat.[7]

In 1879, seventy-five Europeans came to Kodai for the season. In 1883 Kodaikanal had 615 permanent residents. Later many American and British families visited and decided to remain in the temperate hill station. It also became a regular summer retreat for many American Missionaries and European diplomats who came here primarily to escape the sweltering summer of the plains.[10] Among them, William Waterbury Scudder D.D. was a missionary who joined the Arcott Mission in 1852, retired in 1894, and was buried at Kodaikanal in 1900.[16]In 1895 the American Madurai Mission built the Union Church building.[11]

In April 1915, Dr.Van Allen raised funds to construct the first unit of the hospital at the entrance of Coaker's walk. It was named after him. Facilities got updated from time to time and now it has an X-ray machine, well equipped pathological lab, and an operation theatre with blood transfusion facilities. Government Hospital was a small municipal hospital until 1927. Now it has X-ray, Dental, Maternity ward and other facilities.[17]

Dr. Ida S. Scudder with Mahatma Gandhi, 1928

In 1953 at a sprightly 82 years old, Dr. Ida S. Scudder sat in her bungalow Hilltop at Kodaikanal, overlooking the Vellore Christian Medical College and its hospital, which she founded, and opened a stack of letters and telegrams. Her name is a famous one in India. A letter once reached her addressed simply, "Dr. Ida, India." The mail was heavier than usual because friends around the world were congratulating her on winning the Elizabeth Blackwell Citation of the New York Infirmary, as one of five outstanding women doctors of 1952. [18] She died at age 90, of a circulatory ailment, in Kodaikanal.[19], [20]

Ghat road

Travelers going to Kodaikanal starting their journey at Ammaianayakkanur village traveled Template:Km to mi in 12 to 14 hours by bullock cart up to Krishnamma Nayak Thope. From there, the Template:Km to mi journey to Kodaikanal was undertaken with conveyance by foot, horses, or Palanquins with sufficient hired coolies. In 1854, an improved Template:Km to mi bridle path was built from Krishnamma Nayak Thope. In 1875, the Indian railways extended its line from Chennai to Tirunelveli and a train station named Kodai Road was built near Ammaianayakkanur village, to facilitate visits to Kodaikanal. By 1878, the path from Tope was extended and later completed up to Kodaikanal.[10]

Engineer Major G. C. Law was deputed to study and submit a plan to build a moterable road to the hills. The road was finally completed in 1914 and opened for public traffic in 1916. Public buses started using the road in 1916.[11]

Kodaikanal lake

In 1863 Sir Vere Hendry Levinge who was then the Collector of Madurai created Kodaikanal Lake by damming three streams flowing into a valley. He stocked the lake with local fish and brought Kodai's first boat from Tuticorin. He lived in Pambar house after his retirement. [11]1890, the first Boat Club was formed and today there are three different Boat Clubs with a variety of boats available for hire. Pictures taken in Kodaikanal during the early years of its foundation show the area around the lake with very few trees and a marshy landscape because the manmade lake had no bunds. There is now an excellent paved path around the lake and strict municipal laws against construction near the lake.

Twentieth century

In the 20th century a few elite Indians came to realise the value of this enchanting hill station and started relocating here.[5]Amongst the current Indian locals, there are often discussions about how their ancestors trekked and climbed the hills, from the villages in the foothills. It sometimes took them up to two full days to scale the steep valleys, braving attacks from wild animals and eventually reaching the summit of what is now Kodaikanal market, basically to sell their produce from the plains.

Notes

  1. ^ a b Mitchell Nora, Indian Hill Station: Kodaikanal, University of Chicago, Dept. of Geography, Kodaikanal Sangam, p97, 1972 Original from the University of California Digitized Jan 28, 2008
  2. ^ Mitchell Nora, Indian Hill Station: Kodaikanal, University of Chicago, Dept. of Geography, ch 2, Rational for Tropical Hill Sations, pp13-15, 1972. Original from the University of California Digitized Jan 28, 2008
  3. ^ The Cyclopaedia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia by Edward Balfour, Published by B. Quaritch, 1885, Item notes: vol.2 H-NYSA, P583, Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized Jan 29, 2008
  4. ^ Mitchell Nora, Indian Hill Station: Kodaikanal, University of Chicago, Dept. of Geography, place creepers, p. 98, 1972. Original from the University of California Digitized Jan 28, 2008
  5. ^ a b Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation and Department of Tourism, Kodaikanal Princess of Hill Stations
  6. ^ a b Incredible India, Kodaikanal - Gift of the Forest, July 29, 2007
  7. ^ a b kodaikanal.org, Americans in Kodaikanal
  8. ^ Irrigation and Soil Salinity in the Indian Subcontinent by N. T. Singh[http://books.google.com/books?id=a4RCXuoMotAC&pg=PA75&lpg=PA75&dq=%22C.R.+Cotton%22&source=web&ots=hbiMjTYIJ0&sig=8R-KIGdAOEKrdOYVLX4OHAhmRbE&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=49&ct=result C. R. Cotton
  9. ^ Mitchell Nora, Dr. Wight p. 104
  10. ^ a b c d Kodaikanal Department Of Municipal Administration And Water Supply, Historical Moments, 2005
  11. ^ a b c d e f kodaikanal.comKodaikanal - History
  12. ^ kodaikanal.com, Kodaikanal - Festivals
  13. ^ John Scudder Family, Vol. IJohn Scudder Family
  14. ^ Life and Letters of David Coit Scudder: Missionary in Southern India By David Coit Scudder, Horace Elisha Scudderfull text
  15. ^ Purdy Strother, Mondaugen's Law, More Gaur and the old Kodai Cemetery, D.C.S. headstone photo, August 05, 2007
  16. ^ Narayanan P.R. Krishna (May, 1994) Relics of the raj - British cemeteries in India, Contemporary Review, retrieved 7/19/2007 British cemeteries in India
  17. ^ kodaikanal.com, - Hospitals
  18. ^ Time Magazine (Feb. 16, 1953) A Family Tradition[1]
  19. ^ biographical information on ISS and the Scudder family, see the inventory for Ida Sophia Scudder, MC 205,Scudder, Ida Sophia, 1870-1960. Papers, 1843-1976 (inclusive), 1888-1960 (bulk) (84-M159) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe College, February 1985 Ida Scudder papers
  20. ^ Notable American Women, The Modern Period (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1984).

External Sources

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