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| Fort St. George |
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History
Fort St. George, located in Chennai is an architectural marvel of the British India and dates back to the 17th century. It was built as a trading post and later evolved to be the origin of the Indian Army. The fort served as a trading centre for the East India Company. Within the area of Fort St. George, there are other monuments which are worth seeing. There is a St. Mary’s Church inside the fort, which is believed to be the oldest surviving church built by the British. The church with its sparkling glass windows, beautiful frescos, teak plaques and fascinating structure has stood the test of time and gives us a glimpse of the British architecture.
Another worth seeing structure located inside Fort St. George is a 150 meter tall flagstaff which is entirely crafted out of teakwood. To add to the marvel inside Fort St. George, there is a Fort St. George Museum, which houses the relics of British personnel who inhabited the fort. The museum was constructed in 1795 and later served as Madras Bank. The long queue of staircases, once served as a meeting place and an area of entertainment. The building also has a light house atop it. After independence, this monument was declared protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The fort museum exhibits coins, medals, paintings, letters, etc, belonging to the colonial period. Lord Cornwall 14.5 feet statue stands in front of the museum as an artistic masterpiece of British era which was shipped from Britain. Even today, the fort serves as a base to the Indian Army and holds its strong relevance in the history of India.
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Best time to visit
Fort St. George can be visited throughout the year; however, the best time to visit Chennai is from July to September and January to March.
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Trivia
The fort is believed to be the first establishment of the British in India.
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Timing
The Fort is open from Saturday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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Travel Tools
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