Celebrating Chennai: From 1639 to 2024 - Explore the Rich History and Legacy of Madras Day!
Madras Day commemorates the signing of the deed on August 22, 1639, which marked the founding of the city. A small strip of land was sold to the British East India Company by the local rulers, where Fort St. George was later built. This fort became the nucleus around which the city of Madras, now Chennai, developed.
The celebration of Madras Day began in 2004, initiated by a group of city enthusiasts who believed that the city`s birthday deserved recognition. The day serves as a reminder of Madras`s humble beginnings and its evolution into a bustling metropolis.
Madras Day 2024: 11 Fascinating Facts About Chennai
1. Detroit of India:
Chennai is famously known as the "Detroit of India" due to its booming automobile industry.
2. Railway Pioneer:
The city played a crucial role in South India`s railway development. The region`s first railway line was laid between Chennai and Arcot in 1856.
3. India`s Fourth Largest City:
With a population exceeding 7 million, Chennai stands as the fourth largest city in India.
4. Cultural Heritage:
Chennai is the proud home of Bharatanatyam, one of India`s oldest and most popular classical dance forms.
5. Historic Shopping:
Spencer Plaza on Anna Salai, established in 1863, is the oldest shopping mall in India and a landmark of Chennai`s commercial history.
6. Colonial Prison Legacy:
The Madras Central Prison, founded in 1837, was one of India`s earliest prisons. It served for centuries until its demolition in 2009.
7. Historic Journalism:
Chennai has a deep journalistic heritage, hosting the world`s second-oldest surviving English-language newspaper, The Madras Courier, founded in 1785.
8. Coastal Beauty:
Chennai is renowned for its picturesque coastline, including Covelong Beach (Kovalam Beach), which is part of the world`s second-largest beach.
9. Legal Giant:
The Madras High Court, with its sprawling 107-acre campus, is one of India`s most significant legal institutions and the second-largest court complex in the world.
10. Name Evolution:
The city was originally known as Madras. While the state was renamed Tamil Nadu in 1968, the city retained its name until 1996, when it was officially changed to Chennai to reflect its Tamil roots.
11. India’s Oldest Zoo:
Chennai is home to India`s oldest public zoo, established as the Madras Zoo in 1855.
Madras Day 2024 is not just a commemoration of the city`s founding but a celebration of Chennai`s rich cultural heritage, history, and its journey from a humble fishing village to a thriving metropolis.
