A place in history
DUNSTAN S. MORRIS
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Cantonment Maidan in Kollam was the scene of many momentous events.
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SOUVENIRS OF THE PAST: The ground used to be called `Peeringee Maidan.'
Cantonment Maidan, situated east of Kollam town, is a historical ground, closely associated with the social and political history of Kerala.
Two hundred years back, the maidan extended over a sizeable area of East Kolllam (then Quilon). The Railways and later-day constructions were yet to come.
As Kollam was an important town with public offices, a British garrison was stationed in Kollam - which was subsequently reduced to a native regiment - as a protective force for the then Maharaja of the erstwhile state of Travancore.
In 1809, on the heels of Velu Thampi Dalawa's struggle against the British,the local militia and the Travancore army stationed around Kollam attacked the British garrison at the Cantonment Maidan. The British force under Col. Chalmers proved victorious in a battle that lasted six hours, which came to be called the Battle of Quilon. The people who participated in the revolt were court-martialled, some of whom, were hanged at the maidan. (ref. `History of Travancore' by P. Shangoony Menon).
Five canons
Five cannons exhibited at the adjacent park accounts for the name `Peeringee Maidan,' by which name this ground was earlier called. The military barracks used by the British regiment are still well preserved and are the headquarters of the district Armed Reserve Police.
Landmark
The Cantonment Maidan has been the venue for many momentous events. Following the `Pulayar-Nair Revolt' at Parinad, also called the Kallumala agitation, a conciliatory meeting was held here in 1915 in which Ayankali took part. A statue of Ayankali can be seen at the maidan.
On October 11, 1927, Gandhiji was accorded a reception here. In 1932, the maidan was the scene of a police firing, following Nivarttana (Abstention Movement) agitations in which one N. Madhavan was reported to have died.
Over the years, the Cantonment Maidan has seen great changes. Large areas of land were allotted by the State Government for the building of educational institutions. Earlier the British had also given land for the construction of a temple and a mosque for Hindu and Muslim soldiers, which were rebuilt and can still be seen today.
All that is left of the cantonment maidan is a moth-eaten area of a few acres, which is still under the Revenue Department and is a venue for all public functions.
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