years ago, when the Queen’s officers from England came to India to manage the East India Company, they settled down in Fort St. George and nearby places. Incidentally, these military officers believed in the great outdoors and they constantly engaged themselves in picnics. Though outdoors, they were well equipped to live in comfortable style in tune with their lifestyle in the military mess or thir palatial bungalows back in the city.

The Kettle, the Stove, and this Coffee Grinder are classic samples of some equipments used by these officers while they ventured out. Though the Dutch introduced coffee to India in the 17th century, the British started commercial cultivation of coffee in India on the exotic hill slopes of Southern India about 150 years ago.

Later, members of the Royal Indian families too started adapting this lifestyle. This practice is still in vogue. The Kettle, the stove and the coffee grinder became a vital part of every day life and have evolved since. Interestingly, the Coffee Grinder also got ornamental. Porcelain, silver, gold plated and stone studded as well. This cast iron stove is under the Trademark of Beatrice RPN / 686091 which is patented and was manufactured in 1851. And the Coffee Kettle is a SPONC & Co. product, obviously made in England.

These rare utensils displayed are from the leftovers of the British officers’ mess in a town called Vellore, in South India and is currently on show at INDeco Hotels Mahabalipuram.