22nd September 2018
The walk inside the Madras High
Court premises was curated by MR N L Rajah, a Senior Advocate and a member of the Madras High Court Committee, in association with INTACH. About 40+ history
enthusiasts participated in this walk with prior registration, to get
permission from the CRPF.
On 10th July 1686, an
admiralty court was established in Madras. A year later, the East India
Company sent Sir John Biggs to act as a
Judge advocate of the Admiralty Court. Later a Mayor court was also established
in St George. After shifting the Indians
to black town, Chenna Malleeswarar Temple & Sri Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple to George Town, the present Madras High Court in Indo-Saracenic style, was constructed, by T. Namperumal Chetty, designed by the British Architect Henry
Irwin. ( the land and the payment for the reconstruction of the temples were given
by the East India Company ). The bricks
were sourced from a kiln owned by T Namperumal Chetty. Each mason and sculptor was
given the freedom to apply their skills. The High Court was inaugurated on 15th
August 1862, Sir Colly Harman from Scotland ( 1860 – 62) was the Chief Justice.
During this period Sri Raja T Rama Rao was enrolled as the first Indian Advocate.
The 2nd lighthouse was
constructed in 1834-38. During our visit maintenance was in full swing and we
were not allowed to enter. The Standard benchmark of 15.07 ft, the mean sea
level marked on the base of the building. It was told that this place was one of the points of the trigonometrical Survey by
Lieutenant Colonel William Lambton, with a marking of 96 Ft 8 in. The
activities of the Bar Association were explained
at the Library. The Sheriff’s entrance, long Corridors, Judges' Cabin,
Court Halls, the design of the Ceilings, and stained color glass windows are the main
attractions of the Madras High Court. Manu Needhi Chozha’s standing image with the Chariot, The Cow, and the King’s Son on the Chariot wheels depicts the story of a cow asking
for justice for its calf that was killed by the King’s Son. On 22nd
September 1914, during the First World War,
the Emden, a German cruiser, attacked Madras High Court, in which a portion of
the wall was damaged.
LOCATION OF HIGH COURT: CLICK HERE
Sculpture skill—Buddha in a jolly
work
Manuneedhi Chozha’s Statue
Justice Court - Hall
Justice Court - Hall
Ceiling
Ceiling
Corridor
Corridor
Light House
Central dome
Central dome
Trigonometrical Survey Markings by Lieutinant Colonal William Lambton.
British period Sheriff's entrance ( Now Kept locked )
Bar association Library
Emden, a German cruiser attack on High Court memory plaque
Judges entrance
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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