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The Kerala Government Secretariat, located in Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, is the administrative hub of the state, housing key ministries and bureaucratic offices. Constructed during the reign of Ayilyam Thirunal, Maharaja of Travancore (1860–1880), the main building was completed in 1869, designed by Walthew Clarence Barton in a blend of Roman and Dutch architectural styles with Palladian influences. Originally known as Huzur Kacheri, it was renamed in 1949. The Secretariat complex includes the central block with the grand Durbar Hall (now a State Ceremonies Hall), North and South Blocks, and two Sandwich Blocks added later. The building features a granite foundation, burnt brick superstructure, wooden flooring, and ornate chandeliers.
The statue opposite the Secretariat, at Statue Junction, is of T. Madhava Rao, the Dewan of Travancore (1858–1872), who oversaw the building’s construction. Unveiled in 1893 by public subscription, it was sculpted by Edouard Lanteri with assistance from Raja Ravi Varma. Another statue inside the Secretariat complex is of Velu Thampi Dalawa, a historical figure known for resisting British rule, installed post-independence. The Secretariat remains a landmark of Kerala’s governance and heritage.