Christ Church, Lallaguda

History of Secunderabad

History of Secunderabad cantonment

Hyderabad and Secunderabad are one of the few twin cities of the world. Secunderabad is located on the northern side of the Hyderabad urban agglomeration. The cities have merged through an imaginary line drawn across the Tank Bund, which is still used to demarcate the cities. In 1798 through an alliance signed between Hyderabad's Nizam Sikander Jah and the British East India Company, the area north of Hussain Sagar Lake was made into a cantonment named Secunderabad after Nizam Sikander Jah.

History of Lallaguda

Lallaguda, in one corner of Secunderabad became a 'Little England', as South Lallaguda had a sizeable population of Anglo-Indians, with most of them Catholics. Lallaguda initially was a fortified village constructed on orders of Thaniat un- Nissa Begum alias Bibi Sahaba, the favourite queen of Nizam Ali Khan, and the mother of Sikander Jah. Here a palace and a garden, near Moula Ali were constructed under the supervision of Lalla, one of the best architects of Hyderabad. Originally called Tahniat Nagar or Bibinagar, it came to be called Lallaguda after her death.

In Nizam Era (1724-1948), Lallaguda became part of the princely state of Hyderabad, ruled by the Nizams. The area remained a small village, with some agricultural land and scrub forest. The Nizams built the Lallaguda Railway Station (1902) and railway workshop (1903), transforming the area.

In British Era (1803-1947). Secunderabad Cantonment, established in 1803, brought British influence to the area. Lallaguda's proximity to the cantonment led to infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, and utilities. Lallaguda earned the nickname "Little England" due to its Colonial-style architecture, British cultural influences, High concentration of British soldiers and officials. Lallaguda's colonial past continues to influence its architecture, culture, and lifestyle. The neighborhood remains a unique blend of Indian and British traditions.

Post-Independence (1947-1960s), India gained independence, and Hyderabad became part of the Indian Union. Lallaguda continued to grow, with the railway workshop and station driving employment. New residential colonies and schools emerged, catering to the growing population.

History of Christ church Lallaguda

Christ Church Lallaguda was established in 1874 by British Anglican missionaries. This church catered to the spiritual needs of British soldiers, outcasts, native Christians, and their families stationed in Secunderabad Cantonment.

Architecture & Institution history

Relics of Christ Church Lallaguda

Foundation stone laid by CW Lloyd Jones, Agent and Chief Engineer (Later Managing Director of Nizam State Railways, Nizam State Guaranteed Railways)

Timeline

Facts for Church claim on property

Church was built in the British-era and existed prior to the establishment of Railways. Is not an unauthorized construction as described by the Indian Railways in notice titled 'Vacation Notice' served on 11/12/2024 by Railways DRM office.

1. Islam and the Army in Colonial India, by Green Nile Cambridge published by University Press Mentions records the early establishment of Christ Church in 1874.
2. Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway was formed on 27 December 1883 after the Nizam State Railways was taken over by Morton, Rose & Co. As per this agreement, the new company would be owned by the Nizams and be known as Nizam's State Railway. The capital to set it up would be provided by the Nizam but will be constructed and operated by Government of India through British Resident at Hyderabad. The remaining members of the board of the nationalised company were Britishers and the headquarters of H. H. Nizam's State Railways remained at London. The office was shifted to Hyderabad on 1 November 1941, as it was becoming difficult to work over such a long distance due to the ongoing war. Hyderabad was integrated with India in 1948.
3. Cyril Walter Lloyds Jones, CIE (1881-1981) was an early 20th-century British Railways Engineer, who served in India. Joined Nizam State Railway in 1904, served as Chief Engineer to the HEH Nizam in 1913, then the NSR Managing Director of by 1930, retired in 1941 has laid the foundation stone for Christ Church Lallaguda, in 1929.
   • CW Lloyd jones profile on Wikipedia
   • Autobiography of Memoirs of Cyril Jone, edited by Omar Khalidi, published by Manohar Publishers and Distributors
   • Relics of Foundation stone laid & Bible present by CW Lloyd Jones CIE on behalf of Nizam State railways in present till date.
   • Railway Year book records board composition and Managing Director of Nizam State Railways
4. Census of India conducted 1961, Volume II, Andhra Pradesh, Part VII – B (13) Fairs and Festivals by A Chandra Shekar of India Administrative Service, Superintend of Census operations, Andhra Pradesh has recognized Christ Church Lallaguda in page no 50, point 8. Also, mentions Rev. T.R. Krishna Rao who was the then appointed Chaplin from St John's the Baptist Church by CSI (Church of South India). Is provided by the Telangana State Archives.
5. Endowment records in year 1957, show that Christ Church Lallaguda has been registered in the book of Endowments on behalf of the government.
6. Survey number where Christ Church Lallaguda is situated confirm the church's location is within the Secunderabad Cantonment, corroborating its legal till-date. Records were gathered from:
   • Land and Surveys Dept
   • Survey of India Dept
   • Revenue office Marredpally
   • Revenue office Malkajgiri
7. Secunderabad cantonment issue: Regarding land rights for revenue, ecclesiastical purposes.
   • Though Nizam allowed British to occupy land for military purposes there is ample evidence to demonstrate that he did not give them ownership of the land.
   • In 1906, Bolarum, Secunderabad and 13 villages were merged to form the entity now called Secunderabad". The firman formalising this Nizam clearly states that land ownership remained with original owners.
   • The British undertook several exercises to verify if they owned any land in Secunderabad.
   • The most elaborate such exercise was by Sir William Barton in 1926. All these exercises concluded that British did not own any land in Secunderabad.
   • In 1933 the British prepared the first comprehensive land record of Secunderabad.
   • Capt C M James, the Officer appointed for preparing this "General Land Register (GLR)", stated that British did not own any land in Secunderabad.
   • Finally Nizam agreed to hand over these lands to the State. This was formalised by passing two Regulations in 1358 Fasli (1949 AD) – "Hyderabad Sarf-e-Khas (Merger) Regulation" and "Hyderabad (Abolition of Jagirs) Regulation".
   • Overnight, 80,000 sq. km of land owned by the aristocracy thus became "Diwani", or state land.
   • Subsequent to Hyderabad's merger with India Govt of India had to purchase Rashtrapathi Nilayam (erstwhile Bolarum Residency) from the then AP Govt. This shows that despite being the erstwhile seat of the British in Hyderabad, the premises had belonged to State Government.

Conclusion

Christ Church, Lallaguda, established in 1874 (before the railways), is a historically recognized site is not an encroachment or unauthorised illegal occupation as quoted by South Central Railways. The church has historical relevance and is not an encroachment.

Notably, SCR (South Central Railways) must take note that Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway, founded later in 1883, and British engineer Cyril W. L. Jones (Later managing director of NSGR), laid the foundation stone in 1927.

Land records from the Survey of India and local MRO offices confirm its legal status within the Secunderabad cantonment, countering recent claims of unauthorized construction in Railways era.