CHENNAI, Tamil Nadu

Main Attraction: MARINA BEACH

Marina Beach, the pride of Chennai, is the second longest beach in the world and has a wide sandy foreshore. Situated on the beach, the Anna and MGR memorials for the former Chief Ministers of the State. They attract thousands of visitors every day. An aquarium is also located on the Marina Beach. Some of the most beautiful buildings in Chennai such as the University of Madras, Senate House, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College and Vivekanandar Illam are located on the beach drive.

Brief History:

The Chennai City has undergone an historical metamorphosis during the past and re-crystallized as one of the cosmopolitan cities, laying many more mile stones for its achievements. It has played an important, responsible and successful role in the field of culture and intellectual development of South India. The history has seen the supreme role of Chennai during the time of crisis and challenging periods. Along with the growth of national spirit, the population of Chennai, according to the First Census conducted in 1871, was only 39,785 and the Madras Presidency then was third in population growth along the cities of British Empire during 1871. Though there was a low population growth during fifty years prefixing 1921, there was rapid population growth from 1921 to 2001, conspicuously due to immigration from time to time.

During the 17th Century, the establishment of East India Company with its headquarters at Fort St. George as a trading center was the root cause for the imperial change in Chennai, by which time the City came into being, due to strategic necessity and historical events, with the inclusion of a few scattered villages like Mylapore, Triplicane and Chennaipatnam and developed into a modern metropolitan city as Madras Presidency retaining its rich tradition, custom and religion. This presidency has been the seat of learning art, architecture and great sears and Siddhars of the spiritual gurus.

Chennai City has been an important centre historically for various purposes, specifically on strategic point of view, trade and commerce. Chennai was originally known as Chennai Patnam (in Tamil language), which was a part of Thondaimandalam. The information of the institution of a Mayor and Corporation of Chennai City was begun during 1687-1692. This status was given to this city after the Chennai Patnam was brought under different rulers like Golgondas, Mughal and Europeans. The status of Government of Chennai in 1698 continued for 11 years in whose period was granted with the towns of Tondiarpet, Purasaiwakkam and Egmore from the local Nawab. This period also gained remarkable development in trade and commerce as Chennai was an important and historical centre. The war between French and English resulted with a significant change in which England lost its authority in 1744 over Chennai to French rulers. Between 1755 and 1763, Chennai City was developed with trading corporation, incorporated isolated towns, established ports and factories. In 1781, Chennai City was added with a naval base which made South India secure in all respects. The supremacy of English over South India was further strengthened without break. From 1799 onwards, the villages and other places scattered around Chennai get agglomerated gradually with Chennai City.

Consolidation and development of institutions in Chennai were held between 1803 and 1827. A judicial Commissions with Lord Munro as chief in 1814 took place for administrative reform in Chennai. To improve the literacy, various steps were taken between 1820 and 1827, specifically by creation of board of public instructions for imparting English education in Chennai; various institutions of professional and technical education have been established in the beginning of 19th century in Chennai. The educational institution of higher learning like School of Industrial Arts was begun in 1850, Civil Engineering college in 1834, Chennai Medical College in 1835 and Chennai Medical University in 1857.

After 1850, some praise worthy events happened in Chennai. The Chennai harbor work was initiated between 1872 and 1875. While the Session of Indian National Congress held in 1887 at Chennai. From 1900 onwards, several establishments of different nature started functioning in Chennai which helped socio- economic development of the city. From time to time, the area under Chennai City kept enlarging due to population growth and expansion of industrial development. In 1991, “beautification of Chennai-2000” (i.e. Ezhilmigu Chennai 2000) was taken up.

Mylapore has been from time immemorial famous for Hindu Religious lore. It is the place where Goddess Parvathi, Consort of Lord Siva, is said to have performed penace having taken the form of a peacock, called “Mayil” in Tamil. Mylapore is said to have derived its name from this. The place is noted for the famous temple of Sri Kapaleeswarar, one of the ancient temples of South India. Saint Thiruvalluvar, author of “Thirukkural”, the universal code of human conduct, was either born or lived in Mylapore. Mylapore was also considered as a centre of commerce and seaport of the Pallavas (575-582 A.D). This was as important as Mamallapuram port (Mahabalipuram). The Pallava ruler, Nandi Varman III, bore the title of “Mylai Kavalan” or the protector of Mylapore.

With the increase in the availability of power and the possibility of cheap labour, more and more industries were started in and around Madras City. The most important one was the group of Buchingham and Carnatic Mills. Tanneries have played an important role in the development of Madras. Integral Coach Factory was also located in Madras City. Establishment of several manufacturing units engaged in car making, automobile workshops, industrial estate both in Guindy and Ambattur, the Surgical Tool Factory have given a new look to Madras City and its suburbs. A number of Arts Colleges, Medical Institutions, Engineering Technological Institutions, Veterinary Law and Teaching have been established. Indian Institute of Technology and Central Leather Research Institute have also come up. These have added to the development of the Madras City. Its growth has played an important role in the development of neighbouring states of Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The name ‘Madras’ has been replaced with ‘Chennai’ at present and it is the headquarters of the Tamil Nadu State.