Tamil Nadu Police Museum, Chennai

Coordinates: 13°04′27″N 80°15′45″E / 13.0741228°N 80.2626140°E / 13.0741228; 80.2626140
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Tamil Nadu Police Museum, Chennai
Chennai Egmore (Suburban), Egmore metro station
Websitetnpolicemuseumchennai.com

Tamil Nadu Police Museum is a museum in Chennai, India. Located in Pantheon Road in the neighbourhood of Egmore, the museum was opened in September 2021. The museum has a repository of exhibits marking the passage of the state's law enforcement agency from colonial India to the modern day.

History

The building was constructed in 1842 and originally owned by Arunagiri Mudaliar.[1][2][3] In 1856, the structure and its outlying grounds covering a total of 14 acres were brought for 21,000 and was converted into the headquarters of the first Police Commissioner of Madras, Lieutenant-Colonel John Carne Boulderson.[4] The building remained the Madras Commissioner's office until 2013.[2] The building was initially about to be demolished.[3] However, the Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation, Reach Foundation and Conservation Mainstream later considered the adaptive reuse of the building.[3] Restoration works began in October 2020 and completed in 9 months.[3] The heritage structure was converted into a museum in September 2021 at a cost of 64.7 million.[2]

The museum

The museum is a two-storied

Indo-Saracenic structure,[3][4] consisting of high parapet walls, wooden spiral stairway, Madras terrace roofing, and traditional lime-plastered walls.[1] The grand portico at the entrance features Doric columns.[4] The interiors feature massive louvred doors that open in from the deep verandah running around the building.[3] The first high-ceiling hall of the building features wooden beams.[4] A red baize-lined wooden staircase leads to the upper storey.[3]

The first curator of the museum is Steve Borgia[2] and the present government-appointed curator is D. Bharath Raj.[citation needed]

Exhibits

Almost 200-year-old artifacts are exhibited in the museum.

Sangam era, through the poligars and the Vellore Mutiny, and the establishment of the various departments such as the Chief Office in 1865, the criminal investigation department, women's battalions, the fingerprint and the State crime records bureau.[3] It also includes depictions of the police involvement in flood relief and COVID-19 regulations.[3] Ceremonial swords, cameras that have captured crime scenes, riot gear, explosives, manacles, handcuffs and service medals are also on display.[3]

The far end of the building displays a series of burnished brass bells used by firemen as different alarms.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Balasubramanian, Roshne (10 October 2021). "New police museum in Chennai is a place of pride for peacekeepers". The New Indian Express. Chennai: Express Publications. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Madhav, Pramod (28 September 2021). "Tamil Nadu Police Museum unveiled in Chennai, showcases history of men in khaki". India Today. Chennai. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Alexander, Deepa (18 August 2021). "Tamil Nadu Police Museum, Chennai, showcases the history of our men and women in khaki". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e "The Tamil Nadu Police Museum is now open". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.