India’s 2nd Oldest Museum & Library In British-Era Madras, 1885 Photo
The Madras Museum and Connemara Library in Egmore are among the most iconic landmarks of British-era Madras (Chennai). Founded in 1851, the Government Museum, Chennai, is the second-oldest in India, after the Indian Museum in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta).
Established during the colonial period, these institutions became the cultural and intellectual hub of South India and remain important heritage sites today. Built in the striking Indo-Saracenic architectural style, the red-brick museum buildings feature arched verandahs, domes, and decorative details.
The museum gained fame for its extensive collections of archaeology, anthropology, botany, zoology, geology, numismatics, and art. The highlight is its rare display of Chola bronzes and South Indian sculptures, making it one of the finest repositories of Indian heritage.
The Connemara Public Library in Madras was designed by Henry Irwin, Consulting Architect to the Government of Madras. The construction began in 1890, and it was completed in 1896. The structure was built by Namberumal Chetty, a prominent contractor and builder of that period.
It was named after Lord Connemara, the then-Governor. Built as an extension of the museum complex, the library soon became a major center of knowledge and research. Today, it is one of India’s four National Depository Libraries, entitled to receive a copy of every book published in the country.
The Indo-Saracenic architecture of the library blends Victorian classicism with Mughal and Dravidian design. Creating an impressive colonial-era building that still stands tall in Egmore. Even today, they remain two of Chennai’s most visited cultural institutions. Representing the city’s colonial heritage, architectural grandeur, and historical significance. Click photo to enlarge.
Did you know – the museum boasts the largest collection of Roman antiquities outside of Europe, a testament to its historical significance and reach.
Past posts – Bombay Songstress Model For Ravi Varma’s Painting, 1900 PC., Views of Princely Palaces In Delhi,1939 Postcard., Aerial View of British Era Bombay, 1936 Print.,
