Mount Road In British Era Madras, 1907 Postcard
A 1907 photo postcard of Mount Road in British Era Madras (Chennai). The famous and charming Mount Road of Madras. An important arterial road in Chennai was built by the British. On the extreme left is Higginbotham’s, partially hidden by a tree, it is where this postcard was printed.
For the purpose of troop movement from Fort St George to St Thomas Mount (17 km). Where a military cantonment was based. After the Fall of Madras took place in 1746, the French forces captured Fort St George and occupied the city. Although the city and its fortification were returned back to the British in 1748. The aftermath made them do some firefighting to some pressing issues. One of them was the creation of a reserve military camp at St Thomas Mount.
Apparently as a precaution against any future eventualities. But by the early 1800s, imminent threats of attacks diminished greatly. Mount Road was developed into a major commercial street, occupied by top-end companies, departmental stores, cinema theatres, banks, and so on. Electric trams began running on this broad boulevard-like street at one time, its charm not lost despite the haphazard developments.
Did you know – the Mount is where the Apostle St Thomas died in 72 CE and a church was built there.
From the collection – Raja Ravi Varma’s “Mohini On A Swing” – Vintage Print 1930s., Queen Victoria’s Canopied Statue Bombay-Old Photo 1898., Pune Near Mumbai – Old Print 1875., First Motor Car Rally In India- Old Print 1904.
