Fort St George Northern View Madras, 1872 Rare Photo
This 1872 photograph is of the northern view of Fort St George Madras (Chennai). A somewhat undefiled and early view of Fort St George and its environs. With a slightly indistinct view of St Mary’s Church and the rear portions of the fortification. The foreground shows a number of white tents. Vaguely visible is the flag mast that was of teakwood but by the 1900s replaced with a steel one.
Over the years, it was replaced quite often, mainly because of weathering and hits from cannonballs. Before 1800 foreign enemy ships pounded the fort, which many a time damaged the mast. In 1914 the German warship Emden also played a role in shelling the city of Madras and the fort. The last time the flag mast was replaced was in the 1990s. Very few may be aware that Fort St George was the first British fortification in India (built in 1653). Click on the photo for better view
Read more Madras History.
Did you know- the flag mast is 150 feet tall, one of the tallest in the country, and an iconic landmark of Chennai 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
