Nilgiris Collector helps unearth hidden milestone in Nilgiris’ history

In a move that could herald a significant push for the preservation of significant monuments that detail the history of the Nilgiris district, Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru recently undertook the unprecedented effort to safeguard an almost 200-year-old milestone that had become “lost” owing to mud and road debris being dumped on top of it.

The Collector, on her visit to Coonoor town, had learned of the presence of the milestone which in the 19^th and 20^th century’s, had indicated to weary travellers from Coimbatore and surrounding regions, the presence of an inspection bungalow nearby. The inscription on the artefact reads “1 MILE TO THE BUNGALOW,” on what was then known as the Old Ooty Road.

Weary travellers would then know that mile or 1.6 km down the road ahead was an inspection bungalow where they could rest before pushing towards Udhagamandalam. The “bungalow” referred to in the milestone is now the Coonoor Judicial Magistrate Court building.

Though the exact year of the milestone being placed along the Kannimariamman Kovil Street in Coonoor remains a mystery, the inspection bungalow itself is mentioned in a map dating back to 1833, with local historians speculating that the milestone would have also been engraved with the markings around that time. The Old Ooty Road used to be the main route used to ascend the hills till what is now known as the Mettupalayam – Ooty Road, broadly following the contours of the present National Highway, was built to Udhagamandalam town, local history enthusiasts added.

Over the years, the milestone had become covered with mud, and had even become completely hidden owing to debris being dumped on top of it when the road by which it stands was being repaired.

Speaking to The Hindu, Ms. Tanneeru, said she had ordered the mud and debris from the milestone to be removed so that it could be seen completely. “The complete rock is now visible for the first time in many years,” said Ms. Tanneeru, who added that the district administration would work with the Nilgiris chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and local NGOs in setting up a fence around the milestone as well as some landscaping and support for the milestone itself, to protect it from being dislodged in case of landslips and soil erosion.

“The Coonoor municipality is also fully on board with ensuring its protection,” added Ms. Tanneeru. Local heritage enthusiasts voiced their support to the district administration and the Collector’s efforts in protecting a small but significant artefact that was a part of the Nilgiris’ history, hoping that the renewed interest could help in building momentum towards safeguarding a few of the many heritage structures that are in need of urgent repair and preservation in the district.

Published - June 13, 2025 03:40 pm IST