Europeans & Early Motor Cars In Madras Presidency, 1908 Photo

Europeans & Early Motor Cars In Madras Presidency, 1908 Photo

Two old 1908 photos give a rare glimpse of Europeans and early motor cars in the Madras Presidency. The Europeans are on horseback and seem to be officers from Fort St George near the Marina. The location is the estate of the Government House at Guindy in Madras (Chennai).

Both images show Britisher officers on horseback posing near their car and a driver. The officers may have come from Fort St George to play polo, since the polo ground was on the same estate as the Government House. The Government House (Raj Bhavan) had a vast estate of around 400 to 500 acres. The ground even had a race course besides the polo ground.

The beautiful vehicle may have been a British Standard. A popular motor car among the British military and civil servants in Madras. Although it was likewise the case with the Sunbeams, Buicks, wolseleys, etc, all popular with the European crowd in the city. The wealthy were more into the Daimlers, Rolls Royces, Mercedes, and so on. Click on the photos to enlarge.

Did you know – Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot of France developed a three-wheeled, steam-powered vehicle in 1769, and this is considered the first automobile.

From the collection – 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#15)., British India Viceroy At Alwar Palace – Old Photo 1906., Portuguese Church of Santhome In Madras, 1900 PC., King George V’s Coronation Celebration Simla – Old Print 1911.