The Kerala Government Secretariat building, in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, is the seat of the state administration. The foundation stone of this white impressive building was laid in 1865 by His Highness Ayilyam Thirunal Maharaja. The building was constructed on the lines of the Roman and Dutch architecture by Barton, who was the chief engineer, under the supervision of Dewan Madhava Rao. The Secretariat began to function from 23rd August 1869. Earlier, the Secretariat was known as Huzur Cutchery, Public Office or Puthen Kacheri. The Secretariat came to be known as ‘Government Secretariat’ from 25th August 1949.