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CHAP. XVI. p. 336.   NEGAPATAM.

XVI., pp. 336-337.

CHINESE PAGODA AT NEGAPATAM.

Sir Walter ELLIOT, K.C.S.I., to whom Yule refers for the

information given about this pagoda, has since published in the

Indian Antiquary, VII., 1878, pp. 224-227, an interesting

article with the title : The Edifice formerly known as the Chinese

or Jaina Pagoda at Negapatam, from which we gather the

following particulars regarding its destruction :

" It went by various names, as the Puduveli gOuram, the old

pagoda, Chinese pagoda, black pagoda, and in the map of the

Trigonometrical Survey (Sheet 79) it stands as the Jeyna

( Jaina) pagoda. But save in name it has nothing in common

with Hindu or Muhammadan architecture, either in form or

ornament."

In 1859, the Jesuit Fathers presented a petition to the Madras

Government representing the tower to be in a dangerous

condition, and requesting permission to pull it down and

appropriate the materials to their own use. . . ." In 1867 " the

Fathers renewed their application for leave to remove it, on the

following grounds : ` I st, because they considered it to be unsafe

in its present condition ; 2nd, because it obstructed light and sea-

breeze from a chapel which they had built behind it ; 3rd, because

they would very much like to get the land on which it stood ; and

4th, because the bricks of which it was built would be very useful

to them for building purposes.'

The Chief Engineer, who meanwhile had himself examined

the edifice, and had directed the District Engineer to prepare a

small estimate for its repair, reported that the first only of the

above reasons had any weight, and that it would be met if

Colonel O'Connell's estimate, prepared under his own orders,

received the sanction of Government. He therefore recom-

mended that this should be given, and the tower allowed to

stand. . . .

" The Chief Engineer's proposal did not meet with approval,

and on the 28th August 1867, the following order was made on

the Jesuits' petition : ` The Governor in Council is pleased

to sanction the removal of the old tower at Negapatam by the

officers of St. Joseph's College, at their own expense, and the

appropriation of the available material to such school-building

purposes as they appear to have in contemplation.

" The Fathers were not slow in availing themselves of this