Madras, also known as Chennai, the fourth largest city in India
and the capital of Tamilnadu. The city sprawls over more than 70
square km. Many of the Indian languages are spoken in Chennai, though
the main language of Chennai is Tamil. For travelers with an interest
in the colonial history of India, Chennai has much worth exploring and
abundant transport operations make other parts of the country readily
accessible.
Madras, the first city of Tamil Nadu and the present gateway to South
India is about 350 years old. Founded at Fort St: George in 1640 AD by
Francis Day; an employ of the East India Company, Chennai today is one
of the great metropolitan cities of the World.
Madras retains a charm characteristic of the typical South Indian
heritage and way of living. As a city it continues to maintain the
best of South Indian traditions. This is not surprising because the
region was an important center of Pallavan culture long before the
British came here, the traces of which can be found in the numerous
old temples.
Madras Facts and Figures
| Area |
174 metres. |
| Population |
42,16,268 |
| State |
Tamil Nadu |
| STD |
Code 044 |
| Rainfall |
254 cms (annual) |
| Weather |
Summer. Max 37o C Min 21o C |
| |
Winter. Max 30o C Min 20o C |
Madras History
For more than 2000 years the area has been popular with seafarers,
spice traders and cloth merchants. The 16th century saw the arrival of
the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch. In 1693, the British East India
Company established a settlement in the fishing village of
Madraspatnam. For St. George was constructed over a period of 15 years
and finally completed in 1653. George town grew in the area of the
fort and was granted its first municipal charter in 1688 by James II,
making it the oldest municipality in India. During the 18th and 19th
centuries, French and British traders competed for supremacy in India.
In the 19th century, the city became the seat of the Madras
presidency, one of the four divisions of British imperial India. After
independence, it continue to grow into what is now a significant
southern gateway.
Madras Best Seasons
Chennai can be visited throughout the year. |
