Mayo Memorial

Civil Lines, earlier called Canning Town or White Town, was laid out in a grid after the 1857 Mutiny to accommodate the British officers of the North-Western Provinces. Within this area you can find a number of grand Raj-era public buildings, colonial bungalows and impressive churches. The red brick Mayo Hall was built in this neighbourhood to house public functions and is one such Raj-era building. It is a memorial to Richard Southwell Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo, a prominent member of the British Conservative Party. In 1869 he became the Viceroy of India, where he was often referred to as “Lord Mayo”. While visiting Port Blair for the purpose of inspection, Lord Mayo was assassinated by a convict named Sher Ali Afridi with a knife. Mayo Hall was built in 1879.

The structure was designed by East Indian Railway engineer Richard Roskell Bayne, with a semi-circular roof and a high tower which is a landmark. The interiors were decorated according to designs sent out from London by Professor Gamble of the South Kensington Museum (Victoria and Albert Museum). The Lieutenant Governor's Council meetings were held in this edifice. It became an important centre for social events like balls and receptions. It was known for its superb dance floor. The hall now houses the Amitabh Bachchan Sports Complex, an indoor arena owned and is managed by the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate. The stadium has facilities for games like basketball, volleyball, tennis, squash, table-tennis, badminton, and gymnastics. They even have robot facilities for table tennis and tennis.