Happy Birthday Chennai

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If it’s August 22, it’s time for the city to celebrate. Once again there is loads of excitement as all those who love Chennai come out to party. Chennai turns 373 today. It`s time to celebrate the birthday of Madras, the mesmerizing city. Eight years ago, the idea of celebrating Madras Week began as a four-hour-long celebration of the city and today it has transformed into an elaborate fortnight-long celebration. Madras Day focuses on the city, its history, past, present and the core team motivates communities, groups, companies and campuses in the city to host different events.



 


 
 

Know your Chennai Historical Places

History About Christian College

Madras Christian College has entered into the 175th year of glorious service to the Nation. Founded as a School in 1837 in the black town of Madras, the Institution was built and its character shaped by a host of Scottish missionaries such as Anderson and Miller, Hogg and Boyd. Many dedicated Indian teachers as well as generations of brilliant students contribute to its success story. Leaving their legacy behind is a galaxy of illustrious alumni like President Radhakrishnan. Such was the stature of the Institution that Mahatma Gandhi agreed to chair a student session in its premises in George Town in 1916, while Billy Graham spoke in the famous Anderson Hall in Tambaram in 1956.

The College is known as much for its academic standing and leadership building as it is for social commitment. Besides, the unseen touch of the Almighty has always been felt and spoken of by generations of students and teachers.

Today the College has more than 5000 students (both ladies and gentlemen as they are traditionally called) and over 220 faculty members serving in 31 departments. It is a matter of pride that the institution is ranked among the Top Ten Liberal Arts and Science Colleges in India and also received the Rating of A+ (equivalent to 90-95%) by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The 365 acre salubrious, idyllic campus with its rare, diverse flora and fauna is a great joy to live in.

History About Guindy Anna University

College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG) in Chennai, India, is India's oldest engineering and technical institution, having been established in 1794. Today it is one of the four constituent colleges of Anna University. It's one of India's premier technical institution preferred by the eligible top scorers. It was started in May 1794 as a School of Survey and established as a college in 1859 under the Madras University, and is one of the oldest technical institutes in the world. It is the oldest engineering institute in India. It has link-ups with institutions and organizations like USAID, UNCHS, Ford Foundation, European Economic Community and the Governments of Germany and UK. It was the first college in the country to have its own postage stamp when the Indian Postal Service brought out a postage stamp to mark the 200th anniversary of the institution.

History About Chennai Medical College

 

The Government General Hospital, one of the premier Institutions in the country was started on 16th November 1664 as a small Hospital to treat the sick soldiers of the East India Company. It was the untiring inspired efforts of Sir Edward Winter who was the agent of the company that materialised in the first British Hospital at Madras.

In its early days the Hospital was housed at the Fort St. George and in the next 25 years grew into a formal medical facility. Governor Sir. Elihy Yale was instrumental in the development of the Hospital and gave it a new premises with in the Fort in 1690.

 

The Hospital moved out of the Fort after the Anglo French War and it took 20 long years before it could settle in the present permanent place in 1772. By the year 1772 the Hospital was training Europeans, Eurasians and natives in allopathic methods of diagnosis and treatment and methods of preparing medicines. These trained personnel's were posted to various dispensaries in the district head quarters of the then Madras Presidency to assist the qualified doctors. By 1820 the institution had the recognition as the model hospital of the East India Company. So in 1827 Dr. D.Mortimar was appointed as the Superintendent of the Hospital.

 

A private medical hall run by Dr. Mortimar was regularised as a medical school and it was opened by Sir Fredrick Adams, the then Governor of Madras on 2nd February 1835. The Governor promulgated an order to make the school a state sponsored one and attached it to the General Hospital.

In 1842 the Hospital opened its doors to Indians. In the next two decades, the teaching staff had increased, the duration of the course extended and the curriculum was made comprehensive. Senior courses spanning 5 years was started and private people were also admitted for the first time in the institution.

 

In the early part of 1850 the school council submitted proposals to the government to accord the status of a College. The Government granted this request and from 1st October 1850 it became Madras Medical College.

The first batch of students graduated in 1852 and were granted the Diploma of Graduate of the Madras

Medical College. In 1857, it gained affiliation to the University of Madras. After the affiliation in 1857 the College moved to be a center of excellence imparting training in all the specialities in the field of medicine and surgery and it is now one of the premier institutions in the country with under graduate, post graduate and super speciality courses.

The Courses offered by the Madras Medical College are affiliated from 1988 to the “The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University”

This College has nine affiliated institutions with hospitals, each one of them recognized for excellence in Health care services.

This College stands with pride for having produced Doyens in the field of Medicine and forget not that you have become a part of this great institution now.

History About Saint George Fort

The year 1644 adds another glorious chapter in the history of the South Indian city Chennai, then known as Madras, conferring upon it a gift of the St. George Fort along the shores of Bay of Bengal. Historically famous as White Town, the fort has taken its name from St. George who is believed to have a significant influence in the region during that era and whose birthday coincides with the day of completion of the construction of the fort. The fort is considered to be the first establishment of the British in India. Initially erected as a trading post, it later served as the origin of the modern Indian Army. A live example of the military architecture marvel, the St. George Fort is probably the most noticeable ancient monument in Chennai. The fort holds great historical importance and is looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Towards the end of the 17th century, the East India Company was fully established within the territory of India, with British primarily focussing on the trade and economic activities. However, as the time passed, the company felt the need to have a permanent trading station. The dream was realized when it acquired the coastal land from a chieftain of Vijay Nagar. The company built the fort on this land and expanded their activities. It served as a home away from home for the officials of the East India Company. Furthermore, this helped in the development of the city Madras, now Chennai.

Primarily, the St. George Fort is divided into two sections: St. Mary's Church and the Fort Museum. St. Mary's Church enjoys the status of being one of the oldest surviving churches built by the British in India as well as the oldest Anglican Church on the land of India. This beautiful building, established in 1680 has stood the test of times and still holds the splendour of the yore. The tombstones in its graveyard are incomparable and are seen as the oldest one in India. Another fascinating structure here is the 150 ft tall Flagstaff, made entirely of teakwood. Though the original flagstaff is no more to be seen, its relics are still visible. The church is famously known as the 'Westminster Abbey of the East'.

However, one of the most striking buildings here is the Fort St. George Museum. It houses the relics of the British personnel who inhabited this fort. The construction of the building was completed in 1795 and served as the Madras Bank, whereas the long hallway upstairs served as the venue for public meetings as well as for entertainment. Today, the fort museum showcases a host of artefact such as coins, medals, paintings, letters, etc, belonging to the colonial period. There is a banqueting hall in the premises of the fort, called Wellesley House, named after Richard Wellesley, the Governor-General of India. There is a 14.5 ft tall statue of Lord Cornwallis in front of the museum, which is an art masterpiece. It was brought to India from Britain through ship. It is carved with a scene depicting Tipu Sultan, his two sons and the East India Company officials.

The importance of the fort has not been undermined till date, as it still serves as an important base for the Indian Army. After Independence, the Archaeological Survey of India declared the fort as a protected monument. Today, the building is more of a mansion where the Tamil Nadu Government's administrative branches and legislative assembly are housed.

History About Chennai Central

The year 1644 adds another glorious chapter in the history of the South Indian city Chennai, then known as Madras, conferring upon it a gift of the St. George Fort along the shores of Bay of Bengal. Historically famous as White Town, the fort has taken its name from St. George who is believed to have a significant influence in the region during that era and whose birthday coincides with the day of completion of the construction of the fort. The fort is considered to be the first establishment of the British in India. Initially erected as a trading post, it later served as the origin of the modern Indian Army. A live example of the military architecture marvel, the St. George Fort is probably the most noticeable ancient monument in Chennai. The fort holds great historical importance and is looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Towards the end of the 17th century, the East India Company was fully established within the territory of India, with British primarily focussing on the trade and economic activities. However, as the time passed, the company felt the need to have a permanent trading station. The dream was realized when it acquired the coastal land from a chieftain of Vijay Nagar. The company built the fort on this land and expanded their activities. It served as a home away from home for the officials of the East India Company. Furthermore, this helped in the development of the city Madras, now Chennai.

Primarily, the St. George Fort is divided into two sections: St. Mary's Church and the Fort Museum. St. Mary's Church enjoys the status of being one of the oldest surviving churches built by the British in India as well as the oldest Anglican Church on the land of India. This beautiful building, established in 1680 has stood the test of times and still holds the splendour of the yore. The tombstones in its graveyard are incomparable and are seen as the oldest one in India. Another fascinating structure here is the 150 ft tall Flagstaff, made entirely of teakwood. Though the original flagstaff is no more to be seen, its relics are still visible. The church is famously known as the 'Westminster Abbey of the East'.

However, one of the most striking buildings here is the Fort St. George Museum. It houses the relics of the British personnel who inhabited this fort. The construction of the building was completed in 1795 and served as the Madras Bank, whereas the long hallway upstairs served as the venue for public meetings as well as for entertainment. Today, the fort museum showcases a host of artefact such as coins, medals, paintings, letters, etc, belonging to the colonial period. There is a banqueting hall in the premises of the fort, called Wellesley House, named after Richard Wellesley, the Governor-General of India. There is a 14.5 ft tall statue of Lord Cornwallis in front of the museum, which is an art masterpiece. It was brought to India from Britain through ship. It is carved with a scene depicting Tipu Sultan, his two sons and the East India Company officials.

The importance of the fort has not been undermined till date, as it still serves as an important base for the Indian Army. After Independence, the Archaeological Survey of India declared the fort as a protected monument. Today, the building is more of a mansion where the Tamil Nadu Government's administrative branches and legislative assembly are housed.