Government House, Now Raj Bhavan In Madras, 1888 Photo
An 1880 photo of the British-era Government House, now the Raj Bhavan in Madras (Chennai). Note an impressive lineup of British Indian Guards on horseback is visible. Probably awaited to take the colonial masters to their destination. Fort St George in Madras was Britain’s first fort in India.
It was established by the East India Company in 1640. The fort had a stately residence for the British Governors. However, as the Fort got crowded, a need for a second retreat was much felt by one of the Governors. A more spacious mansion with vast verdant surroundings was desired.
Thus an appropriate place with a bungalow was located in Guindy on the outskirts of the city at that time. Owned by Luis De Madeiros a Portuguese merchant. By 1753 a deal was struck and the place was bought by the East India Company from him. Over the years more land was acquired for the estate including a property taken over from the Nawab of Carnatic in 1855.
Which grew into a sizeable green estate of around 200-400 acres. Likewise, the original bungalow was rebuilt into a larger mansion and was called Government House as shown in this 1880 photo. However, in later years greater portions would be added to the building. So much so that the ‘House’ grew into a sprawling mansion. After India’s independence, the Government House, became the Raj Bhavan, the residence of the Tamil Nadu Governor. Click on the photo for better view.
See post Government House In Madras – Old Photogravure 1895.
Did you know- that Guindy was once a heavily forested area.
From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” Oleograph 1894., Native Chiefs At Delhi Durbar – Old Postcard 1911., The Dutch Capture of Cochin – Antique Plan 1702
