Fort St George Northern View Madras, 1872 Photo
A rare 1872 photo of Fort St George in Madras (Chennai) from the northern view. This view shows a very early view of Fort St George and its environs. A faint view of St Mary’s Church and the solid defensive walls of the fortification can be seen. A row of white tents is seen in the foreground. The flag mast is in front which was made of teakwood until the early 1900s, subsequently, it was replaced with a steel mast.
Although it was replaced quite often over the years, chiefly because of canon ball hits and weathering. Before 1800 foreign enemies bombarded the fortress from the sea. Particularly the French fleet in 1746, in which they seized the city of Madras and the fort. The German warship Emden also played a role in shelling the city of Madras and the fort in 1914. Fort St George was the first British fortification in India (built in 1653). Click on the photo for better view
Also read Madras History.
Did you know- the flag mast is 150 feet tall, one of the tallest in the country, and is as iconic a landmark as the fort itself.
From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” Oleograph of c1894., Princely State of Cochin And Harbour – Old Map 1833., Prongs Lighthouse Bombay – Old Postcard With FDC 1900
