B’day link to Broadway

It’s 2 pm, and the streets in Broadway bear an antiquated look. There are rickshaws, a mode of transport uncommon anywhere outside Broadway.

Fort St George, which is located diametrically opposite the Broadway bus stand, next to the Chennai Fort Station (known as White Town before), has the country’s tallest flag staff at a height of 150 feet.The fort acquires its name from St George from England, whose birthdate falls on the initiation date of the British bastion on April 23, 1644. However, it was only a few months after India’s Independence that the fort was opened to the general public. The fort has 10 galleries. Some of them showcase various antiques that were used in the days of the British, starting from rapiers and stilettos to attires worn by the British Army. An Indo-French gallery brings across the view of the kind of objects that were in use during the French rule in some parts of the country.

Madras Day bonds with Broadway

The Madras Day in itself shares a special bond with this citadel. History has it that the East India Company started building the fort on a beach belt which it hired from a local ruler, way back in 1639. August 22, 1639 – this was the day when the agreement was signed between the two parties. The date is therefore celebrated as Madras Day.

August 9, 2014 in Chennai

Express News Service