Senate House & River Cooum In British Era Madras, 1879 Photo
This 1879 photo shows the Senate House and the River Cooum In British Era Madras (Chennai). The beautiful waterway seen is a branch of the famous Cooum River. Two men navigate a boat carrying a load of cargo (an unimaginable sight today). This river branch runs parallel to the Senate House and the Chepauk Palace at the rear side.
The Chepauk Palace is slightly visible at the right edge of the picture. The front side of the two buildings faces the Marina Beach and Promenade. The Senate House seems to have just completed construction. Since what looks to be scaffolding and construction materials that are scattered around. There are also some construction workers vaguely visible.
The Senate House was built on the site of the Nawab’s artillery park. It was to be the headquarters of the University of Madras. Considered by many architects as the finest example of Indo-Saracenic design in India. Robert Chisholm participated in a competition in 1864 to design two buildings.
One was the city’s first college – The Presidency College. And the other is the University of Madras’ administration and examination hall – The Senate House. He submitted the prize-winning designs for both. The building with its onion-shaped domes was completed in 1879. The domes are said to have been inspired by the Taj Mahal or the Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur. Click on the photo for better view.
See post Chepauk Palace Chennai From The River, Old Photo 1880.
Did you know- that Robert Chisholm began a glorious 30 years and more of Chisholm-created Indo-Saracenic buildings in Madras.
From the collection- Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Saraswati” Oleograph., Bangalore Cantonment Market – Old Postcard 1900., View of British Era Poona, 1855 Print., Salsette or Mumbai Suburban – Vintage Map 1893.
