Pycrofts Road - Triplicane / Royapet (Name Reason)

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:: PYCROFTS ROAD - TRIPLICANE ::

Finally i got to know about the road where i am spending most of the time. Its the place where I was born. Lucky enough to be in the same place since my birth. It is one of the famous landmarks of Chennai, Especially Triplicane and Royapettah. This road is becoming the next ranganathan street at times of festivals. Yes it is, going to share about our very own Pycrofts Road which has been named after Sir Thomas Pycroft. Pycrofts Road has been renamed to  Bharathi Salai now.

:: SIR THOMAS PYCROFT ::

Sir Thomas Pycroft was a British administrator and civil servant who served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1862 to 1867.

Thomas Pycroft was born in the parish of St John , Hampstead , Middlesex to barrister Thomas Pycroft and his wife Mary Pycroft on 4 December 1807. He was the elder brother of British writer James Pycroft . 

Pycrofts Road in 1890. Image Source : Wiki.pkp.in

He was schooled privately and at Bath Grammar School and graduated from Trinity College, Oxford in 1829. 

On completion of his education, he was offered a "writership" by the President of the Board of Control of the British East India Company .

Pycroft arrived in Madras in August 1829 and served, initially, as writer and then, in the revenue and judicial departments in South Arcot from 1829 to 1839 when he returned to the United Kingdom. 

In 1843, Pycroft came back to India after a three-year hiatus and was transferred to the Madras secretariat.

Pycroft was initially appointed Sub-Secretary and then, promoted to Secretary of the Revenue Department in 1845. The very same year, he was appointed acting Tamil translator to the Madras government. Pycroft became Chief Secretary in 1855 and served from 1855 till 1862, when he nominated to the Madras Legislative Council. 

Pycroft served as a member of the council for five terms from 1862 to 1867.

Pycroft died at Folkestone on 29 January 1892 at the age of 84.

In 1866, Pycroft was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India . The street in which he lived was named Pycroft's Road in his honour.

Source : Wikipedia

Locate Yourself : Pycrofts Road - Triplicane / Royapet (Image Source : Google Maps)

Where was Sir Thomas Pycroft resided in Triplicane ?

I am yet to find the answer for this question. It has been told that He lived in a place near Amir Mahal - Ambika Lodge. But I am still searching for the authenticate source in this regard. If any one comes to know about it, please let me know.

Landmarks in and around Pycrofts Road :

• Presidency College
• National Book House and many other book stalls
• Vijay Ice Creams
• Marina Electronics
• Murali Cafe hotel (Not now, It has been demolished and SBI has come in its place)
• Aaradhana Hotel (A2B replaced its place now)
• Kings / Queens / Kay
• Gowri Jewellers
• Vasantha Bhavan Hotel (Now this place has been occupied by Metro shoe mart)
• Zambazaar Police Station
• Amir Mahaal
• Registrar Office and many more.