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Madras (Chennai) was founded by the East India Company in 1639, although the immediate area has been settled for thousands of years. Today it is a city of over 6m people, and the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu.
A view of the High Court, built in Anglo-Saracenic style by the British in 1892, and a landmark of the George Town section of the city. |
Another view of the High Court, where Queen Victoria still reigns at the entrance. |
A market in the George Town area, long the center of commercial activity in Madras. Insalubrious yes, but a fascinating place to explore. |
The main railway station, another Anglo-Saracenic fantasy built by the British in the late 19C when the city was at its commercial peak. |
Madras University, incorporated in 1857, is one of India's oldest universities. This building was completed in 1870. |
Chepauk Palace - this was the residence of the Nawab of Carnatic, and was built in 1768 in imitation Mughal style by the British for their client ruler. |
A Madras street scene - note the characteristic Tamil temple in the background. |
Sorry ladies, I didn't mean to embarrass anyone! |
An unusual sight for many visitors is the large number of sacred cows which roam city streets. |
View of the tank behind Parthasarathi Temple. This is the oldest temple complex in Madras, built originally in the 8C and restored in the 16C. |
Another view of the Parthasarathi Temple. It is dedicated to Krishna. |
View of the main shrine, or gopuram, of Parthasarathi, typical of Tamil temples. |
A typical shop front - sights like this make travel to faraway places worth the trouble! |
Quite apart from any ritual or religious significance, cows serve as valuable sources of dairy products and fuel in much of India. |
Sudarshan, a young man I met on the beach who wanted to practice his English ("you must be aware of squishy materials on our streets"). No doubt a wealthy Silicon Valley entrepreneur by now. |
Villages such as these in the countryside near Madras have scarcely changed in centuries, despite efforts at modernization by the Indian government. |
Countryside near Madras. There are many miles of beautiful, sandy beaches to the south of the city. |
Palm grove, south of Madras. |
Map courtesy of Mapquest. |
