George Town Georgetown |
|
---|---|
— neighbourhood — | |
|
|
Coordinates: 13°05′38″N 80°17′02″E / 13.0939°N 80.2839°ECoordinates: 13°05′38″N 80°17′02″E / 13.0939°N 80.2839°E | |
Country | India |
State | Tamil Nadu |
District | Chennai District |
Metro | Chennai |
Ward | Muthialpet |
Government | |
• Body | Chennai Corporation |
Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
PIN | 600001 |
Lok Sabha constituency | Chennai Central |
Planning agency | CMDA |
Civic agency | Chennai Corporation |
Website | www.chennai.tn.nic.in |
George Town is a historical neighbourhood of Fort Saint Geroge in Chennai (formerly Madras), India. Also known as Black Town during the colonial period, the settlement was formed after the English constructed the fort and was the first settlement of the city of Madras, begun soon after the completion of the fort. The name of this area 'Black Town' was renamed as George Town in 1911 in honor of King George V when he was crowned as the emperor of India.[1] The name is still in use officially unlike other names which have been changed in the city being reminiscent of colonial past. This is where the modern city of Madras began its expansion in the 1640s.
Being the first settlement for natives around the Fort St. George, this area became base for development and construction activities as the city grew meeting the needs of people for their livelihood and rulers' administrative comforts. With the construction of one of India's major port, the region became an important naval base for the British. High court buildings and first light house tower with architectural beauty came up in an area where an Old Hindu Temple existed. This temple of Sri Chennakesava perumal and Chennamalleswara swamy was demolished and later shifted to the present place near Mint Street on Nethaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road which is popular amongst Hindus as Pattanam Koil.
Contents |
History
In 1639, when Francis Day was looking for a land to build a fortified warehouse for the English East India Company, he soon acquired the land where he built the fort named Fort St. George in 1640. Soon after the fort was built, a township of natives who catered to their masters inside the fort came up outside it, then known as the Black Town. When the French occupied Madras in 1746 and returned it to the English in 1749 in exchange for Quebec by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, the English flattened a part of Black Town in order to have a clear field for fire in the event of a future attack. In 1773, the English erected 13 pillars along the flattened area of the Black Town and banned construction in any form between the pillars and the fort which would otherwise block the view of possible invaders. Soon a new township, known as the new Black Town, came up beyond these pillars and the old Black Town gave way to the Madras High Court. A thoroughfare was formed along the stretch between the pillars and the high court which later became the China Bazaar Road. The only surviving one of the 13 pillars is being maintained in the compound of the Parry's building.[2]
In 1772, the first organised water supply of Madras began with the Seven Wells Scheme.[3] On one occasion, Mysore ruler Hyder Ali's troops even tried to poison the water source one night.[2]
Geography
George Town is located along the shores of the Bay of Bengal, marking the beginning of Northern Chennai. Some portraits displayed in the Fort Museum housed in the Fort shows tides of the sea almost very close to the Fort. River Coovam flowing little south of the Fort separates the neighbourhood from the rest of the city. The present day Prakasam Road (formerly known as Broadway) was originally a part of the river's watercourse. However, after the river completely dried up, this looked very broad through bushes and became to be known as Broadway. It is also said that there existed several tanks and ponds in the locality that gradually disappeared due to human encroachments. This can be noted in the names of some of the localities within the neighbourhood such as Sanikulam and Krishnankulam (Kulam in Tamil means tank or pond).
Demography
Residents of George Town in earlier days were mainly Telugus with sizable population of Tamils. In the core area, streets are named after Telugu people like Govindappa Naick, Angappa Naick, Adiyappa Naick, Narayana Mudali, Kasi Chetty, Rasappa Chetty, Varada Muthiappan, Thatha Muthiappan, Kondi Chetty, Linghi Chetty, Thambu Chetty etc., etc. A major part of trade and business was in the hands of Telugus. Apart from local Indians, others from rest of the country and also from foreign destinations who had trade and business links with the British 'East India Company' were living in this area. Men who were doing business in corals lived together in coral merchants street (பவழக்கார தெரு) sill exists and people from Armenia (A former state of Russia) doing business with the English were living in Armenian Street (அரண்மனைக்காரர் தெரு)-still exists. A church called Armenian Church was also constructed in the same area for them. As the Town was developing manifold, people from all over India settled in lakhs doing business in all fields, especially from North India, to mention specifically Rajasthan, Gujarat,Maharashtra & Uttar Pradesh. The area where North Indians live together is called Sowcarpet.
Roads and Streets
The main roads are Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Road (popularly known as China Bazaar Road), Rajaji Salai (formerly First Line Beach road) and Wall Tax Road. The streets are generally small and narrow with several lanes branching out of them. The longest street is Mint street which starts near Central Railway Station making way across the city for about 4 kilometers towards north and ends near Vallalar Nagar.The name Mint street is because a Mint existed during British Days at the end of this street. Now the building houses Central Printing Press of Government of Tamil Nadu. This is considered one of few Longest Streets in the World. Several Government Offices both State and Central Governments and also Andaman & Nicobar Island Government's administrative offices of Shipping and Tourism Departments are on Rajaji Salai. The very attractive Burma bazaar noted for selling electronic goods and other items at cheaper rates once wholly run by Burma refugees is also on this Road. Residential houses could be seen in streets and lanes which are not in the core area in all residential localities.
Streets and Specialities
Street Name | Speciality |
---|---|
Mannadi Street | Textiles, Imported goods, Eateries |
Moore Street | Cereals & Pulses, Hotels, and Lodges. |
Angappa Naicken Street | Masjid, Textile, Eateries. |
Burma Bazaar | Grey market for Electronic goods, Cameras, Luggage, Perfumes & Accessories. |
Linghi Chetty Street | Steel Hardware, Electric Motors & Pumpsets. |
Thambu Chetty Street | Hardwares, Ceramic tiles & Sanitaryware. |
Sembudoss Street | Steel sheets & Rods |
Broadway | Cycles & Optical goods |
Anderson Street | Stationery |
Godown Street | Textiles |
Govindappa Naicken Street | Electrical goods |
Nainiappa Naicken Street | Chemicals & Surgical instruments |
Areas
George Town includes areas called by various names like Sowcar Pettai, Muthiyala Pettai, Peddu Naicken Pettai, Pookkadai (Flower Bazaar), Perumal Koil gsrden, Badri Garden,Rattan Bazaar, Krishnappa Naicken Agraharam, Chengankadai, Kondithop, Ezhu kinaru (Seven Wells), Mannadi, Seethakadi Nagar,Kachaleswarar Garden, Parry's Corner, Esplanade,Broadway etc.,
Buildings
This area has many heritage and modern buildings on Rajaji salai & Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road. Heritage buildings are High Court Buildings, Old Light house Tower and Law college building at Parrys corner and GPO building,Reserve Bank of India Building on Rajaji salai. Other modern buildings are Parry's Dare house, State Bank of Mysore Building, New Collectorate Office Building(Singaravelar Maligai), Kuralagam, BSNL Office Buildings,etc.,Raja Annamalai Mandram is a big hall where indoor meetings, cultural activities and dramas are held/performed. In addition there are lot of buildings owned by business community and Government.Many lodges and hotels are available to suit anyone for comfortable stay and food. Hotels/Eating places serve all types of food of any region.
Transport
George Town is well connected to the rest of the city. The neighbourhood has a bus terminus at Esplanade (Broadway Bus Stand) near Parry's Corner. There are two suburban railway stations in this area, namely, Chennai Beach and Chennai Fort. Apart from these, many other important railway stations are located circumferentially around the neighbourhood, namely, Chennai Central, Chennai Park and Park Town, all located in the southwest side, Basin Bridge Junction at the western side, and Royapuram railway station at the northern side.
The intercity and interstate express bus terminus was originally functioned at the Broadway terminus near Madras High Court in an area covering about 1.5 acres.[4] With the increasing transportation need, the terminus was shifted to a new premises covering 36.5 acres at Koyambedu in 2002 constructed at a cost of 1,030 million.[5][6]
In January 2013, further to the public interest litigation petition filed in the court, the Corporation decided to improve the Broadway bus terminus at an estimated cost of 33.6 million.[7]
Developments
Although George Town is the origin of the modern city of Chennai and remained the chief commercial hub of the city till the early 20th century, the city's central business district gradually moved towards the south since the mid-20th century, presently lying at the Gemini Circle on Anna Salai. This resulted in the whole of the northern region of the city being qualified as neglected backward region. However, some of the community-specific areas of George Town, such as Sowcarpet where the prosperous Marwari community resides, still remains an important commercial hub of the city.[2]
Political awareness
Political awareness among citizens of George town is very high. Almost all leaders of National and State political parties used to hold street meetings contacting people and propagating their aims and principles. Great leaders like C.N.Annadurai, K.Kamaraj, C.Rajagopalachary,E.V.K.Ramaswamy Naicker,M.P.Sivagnanam(Ma.Po.Si) Andhra leaders like T.Prakasam and also Mahatma Gandhi,Annie Besant and many others did not miss this part of the city. With huge immigrant population settled here, not only local and state politics but also politics of all other states of the country and even foreign nations are well known here. All political parties make it a point to be in good books of the citizens.
Gallery
Location in context
![]() |
Washermanpet | Royapuram | Chennai Port | ![]() |
Basin Bridge | ![]() |
Chennai Port | ||
![]() ![]() |
||||
![]() |
||||
Esplanade / Park Town | High Court / Fort St George | Parrys Corner |
References
- ^ Muthiah, S. (1 January 2012). "Madras miscellany: A forgotten name-change". The Hindu (Chennai: The Hindu). http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2763617.ece. Retrieved 28-Apr-2012.
- ^ a b c "Chennai High: Where history beckons". The Times of India (Chennai: The Times Group). 27 August 2010. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-27/chennai/28292743_1_pillars-fort-st-george-madras. Retrieved 19-Jan-2013.
- ^ "1751 A.D. to 1800 A.D.". History of Chennai. ChennaiBest.com. http://www.chennaibest.com/discoverchennai/sightseeing/history/1751.asp. Retrieved 20-Jan-2013.
- ^ "கலக்கப் போகுது பிராட்வே பஸ் நிலையம்". Dinamalar (Chennai: Dinamalar). 22 July 2012.
- ^ "Jayalalithaa inaugurates new bus terminus in Chennai". The Hindu Business Line (Chennai: The Hindu). 19 November 2002. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2002/11/19/stories/2002111901991700.htm. Retrieved 16-Oct-2011.
- ^ "Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal (CMBT)". CMDA. http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/chennai_mufussil_bus_terminus(cmbt).html. Retrieved 16-Oct-2011.
- ^ "Broadway bus stand to get facelift". The Hindu (Chennai: The Hindu). 9 January 2013. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/broadway-bus-stand-to-get-facelift/article4287844.ece. Retrieved 9-Jan-2013.
External links
- History of Fort St George and Georgetown
- Sowcarpet/Mint Street: Global Research website
- Sowcarpet/Mint Street: extended version of the Global Research article on Hackwriters.com
|