Chennai: Then to now

A look at how the city grew into the metropolis it is today

August 17, 2011 03:33 pm | Updated November 13, 2021 10:04 am IST

Madras: 125 years ago. Photo: Hindu Photo Library

Madras: 125 years ago. Photo: Hindu Photo Library

17 Century

1639: Chennai was founded

1688: Madras City Municipal Corporation inaugurated

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18 Century

1708: Thiruvottiyur, Nungambakkam, Vyasarpadi, Kottivakkam and Sathangadu: Five neighbouring villages annexed wall built around Black town.

1746: The French return Madras to the English. Santhome and Mylapore annexed to the City

1768: Chepauk palace built by King of Arcot.

1783: Fort St. George repaired and attains its present shape

1784: The first newspaper Madras courier was started.

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19 Century

1834 First survey school inaugurated

1841 Ice House was built. Ice brought from the U.S. through ships was stored here. Later named as Vivekananda House. 1

1842 First Light House

1851 Museum opened1856 First Railway: Roypuram to Arcot

1857 Madras University started

1873 First birth registered, Madras Club founded, Cosmopolitan club founded1874 University Senate House built

1876-78 Great Famine, Buckingham Canal dug1878 The Hindu newspaper started

1886 Indian National Congress meet at Madras, Connemara Public Library founded

1894 First Car. Mr. A.J. Boag, Director of Parry & Co. drove the car on city roads

1895 First tram car1899 First Tamil Newspaper: Swadesamitran

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20 Century

1914 Water mains and draingage formed, street lights introduced, Kilpauk waterworks introduced, First World War.

1917 First Aeroplane. Simpsons & Co arranged for the trial flight.

1942 Second World War. Evacuation of Madras.

1959 Guindy Children’s Park1983 Zoo shifted to Vandalur

1996 Madras renamed Chennai

2000 Tidel Park

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