Monegar Choultry

Monegar Choultry is a choultry in the city of Chennai, India. It is considered to be the first organised charity in Madras city.

History

The Monegar Choultry was established in 1781 in a building in Royapuram off Broadway. The building was rented by the Famine Relief Committee which conducted a charity for the "sick and the poor" along with St. Mary's Church. The Government of Madras took over the affairs of the choultry from the Committee in 1808.

Other amenities

A hospital was constructed within the premises of the choultry in 1799. This was taken over by the Government in 1910 and was renamed Royapuram Hospital.

Etymology

Originally, the choultry did not have any name of its own. It was given the unofficial name "Monegar Choultry" because a Manukakkaran or village headman owned a gruel centre nearby.

References

• Muthiah, S. (2004). Madras Rediscovered. East West Books (Madras) Pvt Ltd.. pp. 312–313. ISBN 81-88661-24-4.