Fort St. George

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Location: Island Grounds

Built in: 1640

Built By: The British

St. George Fort is in a sense a sign of the British making their inroads in the country as it is believed to be the first establishment of the British in India. Located on the banks of Bay of Bengal in the coastal state of Tamil Nadu, it was built by the British East India Company in 1640 AD as a military architecture marvel. During the latter period, it went on to evolve as the origin of modern Indian Army and is now looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The historical significance of Fort St. George is enhanced by the fact that in the endeavor of the British to establish their colonial rule in the guile of trade & commerce, this was their first acquisition. Although the fort itself is a fine specimen of architectural abilities, the site is also known for some other buildings located in the vicinity. St. Mary's Church is one such monument that has stood the test of time and still holds the splendor of the yore. The exquisite wall frescos, glass windows and teak plaques are still in remarkably preserved state. The 150 ft tall Flagstaff made entirely of teakwood is another star attraction.

For the history buffs, the Fort St. George Museum is an ideal destination. Constructed in 1795, it houses the relics of the British personnel who inhabited this fort. Additionally, the museum displays several artifacts such as coins, medals, paintings etc belonging to the colonial period, apart from a 14.5 ft tall statue of Lord Cornwallis placed in front of the museum. The long hallway situated upstairs was used for public meetings as well as for entertainment purposes. Post Independence, the fort was declared as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Due to the rich history, various famous monuments located within the complex as well as its use as Indian military base makes it a important monument in the country.