Black Town Boundary Pillar, Madi Poonga / Terrace Garden and Emden Bombarded inscription, Chennai, Tamil Nadu A Pulicat Heritage walk

25^th February 2017.

When I posted my previous visit on 13^th March 2016 to PULICAT  photographs on Facebook, Mr Venkatesh wished to once again, cover some more important places. On this visit the left MINT WALK,  a part of the local history of Madras Black Town,   sites of   Esplanade Boundary pillar and Madi Poonga are Covered before the breakfast at Murugan Idly shop opposite to Armenian Church on Armenian Street. In addition to this Self and Ms Nivedita Louis had seen the Emden Bombardment inscription on the east side wall of Madras High Court.

BLACK TOWN ( SOUTH SIDE ) BOUNDARY PILLAR AT ESPLANADE, CHENNAI.

To have a clear view of firings from St. George Fort against invaders, Britishers, razed down the settlement in the present High Court area and erected 6 Pillars during the year 1773 CE   (Body claims 13 pillars ) along the present NSC Bose Road.  The Present Chenna Kesava Perumal and Chenna Malleeswarar temples were also shifted for which land and money for construction was given by the Britishers. Indians are allowed to construct beyond these boundary stones One such Pillar still remains at the left side of Dare House, presently called Parry Building. From 1911 CE, the Black Town was renamed after King George V as  George Town, in honor of his crowing as Emperor of India.

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EMDEN BOMBARDED THE MEMORY INSCRIPTION TABLET

The “Emden”, a 3600 tone German Ship fitted with 22 guns bombarded Madras City on 22^nd September 1914, leaving 3 dead and 13 injured from 2.5 Km off the shore. The aim of this mission was to destroy the commercial ship, and oil storage vessels at Madras Port. It shoots the buildings on the shore also.  Some people claim that freedom fighter Dr Shenbagaraman was with Emden Ship during the bombardment, but there is no evidence to prove the same.   

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MADI POONGA ( TERRACE GARDEN )

This park was created in 1968 by the Chennai Corporation on the remaining part of the old north side of the boundary wall of Black Town. The partially completed 3.5 miles wall with 17 bastions and 7 gates ( The seven gates of the wall are the Boatman Gate near Port Trust quarters, Pulley Gate near the road leading to Royapuram, Tiruvottiyur Gate next to Stanley Hospital, Ennore Gate near Mint, Elephant Gate, Chucklers' Gate near the Gujarati choultry and Hospital Gate near the General Hospital)  was constructed during 1772 CE.

Paul Benfield who constructed the Chepauk palace was constructed this also. This was constructed to protect the City from the French and Hyder Ali with enough clear space to keep the cannon to fire ( The Cannon is now kept inside the PWD workshop on the old Jail Road, probably taken from the wall ). It was proposed to levy a Tax for using the road along the wall which was objected to by the public, so the same was dropped. But still, the Wall Tax Road reminds the same.

  

The wall might be more than 60 feet thick and about 12 feet high. The park was created by the Chennai Corporation. The oldest inscription found belongs to 1957 CE.  The other part of the wall was demolished and utilized for the City’s expansion.

  

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.. .. to be continued ( Puzhal Reservoir- Red Hills Lake-, Sholavaram Race Track, )

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---