yas (from Sangam era till the 15th century) and Vijayanagar rayas (from approx. 1336-1660). The British came only in 1639 and set on the move a process of urbanization and development, which changed the face of this town.

The Raja of Chandragiri, (the last Vijayanagar

Rustle of silk, whiff of jasmine, crowded market streets, big malls, and even bigger cutouts of politicians and film stars. Welcome to Chennai, land of the Dravidians! The fourth largest metropolis in India! Forever vibrant, life goes at a sticky bustling pace. Friendly people, steaming idlis and dosas, honking and music blaring auto rickshaws, busy walkways, East Coast Road, beach house parties, the infamous smell of the Coom river… Formerly known as Madras, Chennai captivates everyone who comes her way.

Chennai was once a small fishing village called Chennaipattinam. There are enough evidence to establish that this small town used to engage in foreign trade with the Chinese, the Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Roman and the Babylonians. Much, much later in AD 58, St. Thomas the Apostle came here to spread the teachings of Jesus, bringing in Christianity to India.

The city saw a host of changing rulers from time to time—the mighty Pallavas (for about 600 years since 4th century) Cholas (from Sangam era till the 13th century), Cheras (from Sangam era - 15th century) Pandyas (from Sangam era till the 15th century) and Vijayanagar rayas (from approx. 1336-1660). The British came only in 1639 and set on the move a process of urbanization and development, which changed the face of this town.

The Raja of Chandragiri, (the last Vijayanagar

ple, steaming idlis and dosas, honking and music blaring auto rickshaws, busy walkways, East Coast Road, beach house parties, the infamous smell of the Coom river… Formerly known as Madras, Chennai captivates everyone who comes her way.

Chennai was once a small fishing village called Chennaipattinam. There are enough evidence to establish that this small town used to engage in foreign trade with the Chinese, the Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Roman and the Babylonians. Much, much later in AD 58, St. Thomas the Apostle came here to spread the teachings of Jesus, bringing in Christianity to India.

The city saw a host of changing rulers from time to time—the mighty Pallavas (for about 600 years since 4th century) Cholas (from Sangam era till the 13th century), Cheras (from Sangam era - 15th century) Pandyas (from Sangam era till the 15th century) and Vijayanagar rayas (from approx. 1336-1660). The British came only in 1639 and set on the move a process of urbanization and development, which changed the face of this town.

The Raja of Chandragiri, (the last Vijayanagar

g village called Chennaipattinam. There are enough evidence to establish that this small town used to engage in foreign trade with the Chinese, the Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Roman and the Babylonians. Much, much later in AD 58, St. Thomas the Apostle came here to spread the teachings of Jesus, bringing in Christianity to India.

The city saw a host of changing rulers from time to time—the mighty Pallavas (for about 600 years since 4th century) Cholas (from Sangam era till the 13th century), Cheras (from Sangam era - 15th century) Pandyas (from Sangam era till the 15th century) and Vijayanagar rayas (from approx. 1336-1660). The British came only in 1639 and set on the move a process of urbanization and development, which changed the face of this town.

The Raja of Chandragiri, (the last Vijayanagar

the teachings of Jesus, bringing in Christianity to India.

The city saw a host of changing rulers from time to time—the mighty Pallavas (for about 600 years since 4th century) Cholas (from Sangam era till the 13th century), Cheras (from Sangam era - 15th century) Pandyas (from Sangam era till the 15th century) and Vijayanagar rayas (from approx. 1336-1660). The British came only in 1639 and set on the move a process of urbanization and development, which changed the face of this town.

The Raja of Chandragiri, (the last Vijayanagar

yas (from Sangam era till the 15th century) and Vijayanagar rayas (from approx. 1336-1660). The British came only in 1639 and set on the move a process of urbanization and development, which changed the face of this town.

The Raja of Chandragiri, (the last Vijayanagara king), who ruled this town then, leased out a portion of the territory to the English East India Company for a period of two years. He also gave them permission to build a fort here, the Fort St. George, now, a landmark in the city. Trade grew. So did the area under the Company. In 1688, James II of England granted the town a municipal charter, making it one of the earliest municipal corporations in India.

After the French was routed in the Carnatic Wars, Madras Presidency, as Madras and the territories in its vicinity came to be known under the British, emerged as an important military base. The Madras Regiment, which later became known as the Dublin Fusiliers, is till date the oldest regiment of the Indian army.