Rich Historical Background of Madras now Chennai

Chennai [சென்னை in Tamil], formerly known as Madras, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, and is India's fourth largest city.  It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal.  With an estimated population of 7.60 million [2006], the 400-year-old city is the 36th largest metropolitan area in the world.

Heritage Buildings - The Madras High Court

Chennai boasts of a long history from the English East India Company, through the British Raj to its evolution in the late 20th century as a services and manufacturing hub for India. Additionally, the pre-city area of Chennai has a long history within the records of South Indian Empires.

Madras - now called Chennai, houses great many architectural, historical and religious attractions.  Modern Chennai had its origins as a colonial city and its initial growth was closely tied to its importance as an artificial harbour and trading centre. The Portuguese arrived in 1522, It passed to the Dutch in1612. Next it was briefly under the Mughal Rulers before the British East India Company were granted trading rights. Chennai steadily progressed during the period of the East India Company. In 1746 Fort St.George and Chennai were captured by the French but quickly regained by British Forces in 1749. The East India Company administered Chennai for over 200 years before the British Crown, under Queen Victoria, directly took over rule in the mid 19th century. They ruled for a 100 years before India attained freedom in 1947. Picture above is that of the Chennai mounted police on an early morning march. 

It is also the cultural capital of India for its deep-rooted traditions and long heritage. It was called Madras till 1996 and then renamed Chennai. Today this city is a blend of the old and the new, the traditional and the modern. It is spread over 200 square kilometres with the Bay of Bengal on the east, the city is the gateway to the rest of South India, with many attractions.