Fort St George’s Secretariat Building In Madras, 1880 Photo
An 1880 photograph of the Secretariat building (or Fort House) in Fort St George in Madras. Lord Cornwallis’ marble statue stands under a concrete canopy in front of the Secretariat. Lord Cornwallis was honored with this statue even when he was alive.
It is a bit astounding that he was asked to inaugurate the statue of himself, which he did in 1805. The statue was erected in gratitude for defeating Tipu Sultan in the Third Anglo-Mysore War. Several canons are seen placed near the canopy’s front. The canons were part of Tipu Sultan’s armoury and were captured as war trophies by the British.
The Secretariat building is one of the most magnificent of them all in Fort St George. It dominates the architectural landscape and vies with St Mary Church in beauty. In 1825, two side wings were added to the building. A new building was constructed in front of the Secretariat in 1958, and it was called the New Secretariat. This completely hid the old classical structure. The space in the front is the military Parade Ground. Also noticeable in the photo are Indian natives standing around. The officer’s mess is probably located towards the left of the Secretariat.
Did you know – that the marble statue of Lord Cornwallis was the first monument exported to India from England.
Past posts – Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Shivaji” Oleograph Print., Parliament House New Delhi – Old 1930 Postcard., A Peek Into British Era Ooty, Old Print 1913., Overland Route To India Before the Suez Canal, 1851 Map.
