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It houses rare exhibits of weapons, uniforms, coins, costumes, medals and other artefacts and memorabilia of the British period. The flagmast at Fort St. George is the tallest in India.
The British East India Company, which had entered India around 1600 for trading activities, had begun licensed trading at Surat, which was its initial bastion. However, to secure its trade lines and commercial interests in the spice trade, it felt the necessity of a port closer to the Malaccan Straits. It succeeded in purchasing a piece of coastal land, originally called chennirayarpattinam (Channapatnam - by a few accounts.), from a Vijayanagar chieftain named Chennappa Nayaka based in Chandragiri, where it began construction of a harbour and a fort. The fort was completed on April 23, coinciding with St. George's Day, celebrated in honour of St. George, the patron saint of England. The fort, hence christened Fort St. George faced the sea and a few fishing villages, and soon became the hub of merchant activity.
It gave birth to a new settlement area called George Town (historically referred to as Black Town), which grew to envelop the villages and led to the formation of the city of Madras. It also helped establish British influence over the Carnatic region, and keep the kings of Arcot and Srirangapatna, as well as the French forces based at Pondicherry, at bay.
Towards the end of the 17th century, the East India Company was established by the British. Their main aim behind this was trade and economic activities. After this, the company was looking for a permanent trading station. Their dream was realized when they acquired the land on which the fort stands today. The company built the fort on this land and expanded their activities. It served as a home away from home for the officials of the East India Company. This helped in the development of the city of Madras.
St. George Fort has a number of other worth watching monuments within its boundaries. St. Mary's Church, situated in the fort, is one of the oldest surviving churches built by the British in India. This beautiful building has stood the test of time and still holds the splendor of the yore. The glass windows, wall frescos, teak plaques still shine with their all time glory. Another fascinating structure here is the 150 ft tall Flagstaff, made entirely of teakwood. Though the original flagstaff is no more to be seen, its remains are still visible.
Built as a trading post in 1640, and later developed into garrison fortress, the St. George Fort was probably the first British establishment in India. An architectural marvel, the structure houses a museum, and the magnificent St. Mary’s Church. A must-visit for all history and architecture lovers!
In addition to a museum, the fort also houses the legislative seat of the Tamil Nadu Government, a war memorial, lighthouse, and flagstaff among other relics.
The ground on which the fort stands is bounded by River Coolum. The grant for the land was authorized by the deputy of the then-king of the Vijayanagar kingdom. Once the land had been bought, it was established as a permanent trading post, with the officials of the East India Company settling down here.
The fort took about 13 years to be completed - on St. George’s Day – after which it has been named. Within its ramparts was a well-developed town with streets, beautiful houses, office buildings and other architectural landmarks. The fort was taken over by the French in 1746, but after three years the British recaptured their domains. Following the French siege, the British enhanced the defense mechanisms of the fort.
The in-site St. Mary’s Church was built in 1680 as a bombproof structure by William Dixon and Edward Fowle - its walls believed to be five feet thick. A tour of the church reveals its treasures, which include an amazing copy of the Last Supper, silver plates and plaques, and a bible that is older than the church itself.
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