Pic:Internet
Tribute to City of Chennai on Madras Day.
Chennai aka Madras the city traces its origin to legend of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar who wrote Thirukkural as it’s said that he was born in Mylapore. The city have oldest structure includes Bhagwan Shiva temple known as Kapalishwara temple and Bhagwan Vishnu temples Partha Sarathi at Tiruvallikeni along with Madhava and Kesava perumal in Mylapore formed the settlement. Here Peyazhwar was born in Mylapore.
The city has 3 rivers like Adyar,Coovum and Kosastalai along with lake based irrigation supported the population till Vijayanagara era. During Vijayanagara era Portugal initially established settlement around Santhome area in 1522 later British under Francis Day of EIC had treaty with the then Vijayanagara Emperor and the land under Chennappa Nayaka of Kalahasti was asked to be given to them in 1639 thus it began a new history of that city. Here British constructed Fort St George.
Later with arrival of France in Pondicherry the city went to French occupation from 1743-46 with Treaty of Aix la Chapel Madras came to British. Later with the end of Third Carnatic war British became paramount authority of South India and Madras then faced Hyderali Invasion that ended with Treaty of Madras 1769. After the Fourth Anglo Mysore war many Britishers moved out of Fort St George and establishing at various places outside the walls of Fort thus the growth of city began. EID Parry the oldest mercantile group established in Chennai. With more and more business house making their entry it led to development of City also Indian elite like Pachaiyappa Mudaliar established trust through will. Thus education institute from British and Natives came to existence. College of Engineering was first established as Surveyors school in 1794 which later became college of Engineering. Mount road an artery that connects Fort with Guindy was built along with Marmalong bridge which led to development of mount road aka Anna Salai today.
Port of Chennai the work began in 1800s which is the oldest artificial harbour in India. It inturn increased trade and commerce also catalysed industrial development. Ramalinga Vallalar’s spiritual movement started in Chennai and later Theosophical society in Adyar was established by Annie Besant.
Rayapuram was one of the oldest railway station in India and the oldest in South. later Central station was established by Madras railway company. South Indian Railway company established Egmore station. High court came to Chennai later thus with more people more the development came.
In 1930s & 40s roadways developed in Madras presidency. This after independence led to more investment on Automobiles factory. Thus becoming automobile hub.
Madras the only Indian city to be attacked in WW1. It’s the second oldest city corporation.
-Tribute by Srikaanth Sridhar
Srikaanth Sridhar
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