King George’s Statue British Era Madras, 1914 Postcard
A 1914 postcard of King George V’s statue in British Era Madras (Chennai). Many of the King’s statues were erected in and around Madras during the British era. It is not certain the precise location of the installations. Out of the lot, one was installed at Guindy and another somewhere in the George Town area. Nevertheless, let’s go with the latter. The King visited Madras as the Prince of Wales in 1906.
And again in 1911, he was in India this time for the Delhi Durbar. The statues were hastily installed commemorating these visits. The one that was installed in George Town was formerly called Black Town which was north of Fort St George. Black Town was created as a residential area for the natives. There was also a White Town apparently as a residential area for Europeans only. White Town was located inside Fort St George, the name was evidently discontinued after 1947.
Read more The VI or VII statues of George V. See post King George V At The 1911 Delhi Durbar – Old Photo 1920.
Did you know- the campaign against Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the Anglo-Mysore wars first started with a long march of British soldiers from the Fort. Indian troops were gathered from around the countryside.
From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#16)., British Era Life In Bangalore – Old Photo 1875., The Gairsoppa Falls or Jog Falls – Old Print 1894., Train At A Railway Platform British India – Old Photo 1914
