| Georgetown | |
| — neighbourhood — | |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District(s) | Chennai District |
| Planning Agency | CMDA |
| Civic agency | Chennai Corporation |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Website | Chennai District website |
George Town (Tamil: ஜார்ஜ் டவுன்) is a historical neighbourhood of Fort St. George (India) in Chennai (formerly Madras), India. Also known as Black Town during the colonial period, the settlement was formed after the English constructed the fort and was the first settlement of the city of Madras, begun soon after the completion of the fort. The name of this area 'Black Town' was renamed as George Town in honor of King George V when he was crowned as the emperor of India. The name is still in use officially unlike other names which have been changed in the city being reminiscent of colonial past. This is where the modern city of Madras began its expansion in the 1640s. Being the first settlement for natives around the Fort St.George, this area became base for development and construction activities as the city grew meeting the needs of people for their livelihood and rulers' administrative comforts. One of India's major harbour/port has been constructed. High court buildings and first light house tower with architectural beauty came up in an area where an Old Hindu Temple existed. This temple of Sri Chennakesava perumal and Chennamalleswara swamy was demolished and later shifted to the present place near Mint Street on Nethaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road which is popular amongst Hindus as Pattanam Koil.
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The Bay of Bengal is on the East. Some portraits displayed in the Fort Museum housed in the Fort shows tides of the sea almost very close to the Fort. Now the sea shore is far away from the Fort and inside the port's extended area. The River Koovam flowing little south of the Fort separates George Town of North Chennai from the rest of the city. It is a matter of interest to know that a river was flowing in older days just north of the High Court Buildings and drained into the sea. The present day Prakasam Road (Formerly Broadway) was a part of the said river's watercourse . After the river completely dried up this looked very broad through bushes and became to be known as Broadway.It is also said that there existed several tanks/lakes which gradually disappeared because of human encroachment for living purposes.Some localities bearing names Sanikulam, Krishnankulam are proof to this fact. 'Kulam' in Tamil means tank/pond.
Residents of George Town in earlier days were mainly Telugus with sizable population of Tamils. In the core area, streets are named after Telugu people like Govindappa Naick, Angappa Naick, Adiyappa Naick, Narayana Mudali, Kasi Chetty, Rasappa Chetty, Varada Muthiappan, Thatha Muthiappan, Kondi Chetty, Linghi Chetty, Thambu Chetty etc., etc. A major part of trade and business was in the hands of Telugus. Apart from local Indians, others from rest of the country and also from foreign destinations who had trade and business links with the British 'East India Company' were living in this area. Men who were doing business in corals lived together in coral merchants street (பவழக்கார தெரு) sill exists and people from Armenia (A former state of Russia) doing business with the English were living in Armenian Street (அரண்மனைக்காரர் தெரு)-still exists. A church called Armenian Church was also constructed in the same area for them. As the Town was developing manifold, people from all over India settled in lakhs doing business in all fields, especially from North India, to mention specifically Rajasthan, Gujarat,Maharashtra & Uttar Pradesh. The area where North Indians live together is called Sowcar pet.
The main Roads are Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road (Popularly known as China Bazaar), Rajaji Salai (Formerly First Line Beach road) and Wall Tax Road. The streets are generally small and narrow with several lanes branching out of them. The longest street is Mint street which starts near Central Railway Station making way across the city for about 4 kilometers towards north and ends near Vallalar Nagar.The name Mint street is because a Mint existed during British Days at the end of this street. Now the building houses Central Printing Press of Government of Tamil Nadu. This is considered one of few Longest Streets in the World. Almost all streets and lanes are housing business houses, shops and manufacturing units on both sides with hotels, tea shops, eating places for peoples' convenience who are on move always.Several Government Offices both State and Central Governments and also Andaman & Nicobar Island Government's administrative offices of Shipping and Tourism Departments are on Rajaji Salai. The very attractive Burma bazaar noted for selling electronic goods and other items at cheaper rates once wholly run by Burma refugees is also on this Road. Residential houses could be seen in streets and lanes which are not in the core area in all residential localities.
George Town includes areas called by various names like Sowcar Pettai, Muthiyala Pettai, Peddu Naicken Pettai, Pookkadai (Flower Bazaar), Perumal Koil gsrden, Badri Garden,Rattan Bazaar, Krishnappa Naicken Agraharam, Chengankadai, Kondithop, Ezhu kinaru (Seven Wells), Mannadi, Seethakadi Nagar,Kachaleswarar Garden, Parry's Corner, Esplanade,Broadway etc.,
This area has many heritage and modern buildings on Rajaji salai & Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road. Heritage buildings are High Court Buildings, Old Light house Tower and Law college building at Parrys corner and GPO building,Reserve Bank of India Building on Rajaji salai. Other modern buildings are Parry's Dare house, State Bank of Mysore Building, New Collectorate Office Building(Singaravelar Maligai), Kuralagam, BSNL Office Buildings,etc.,Raja Annamalai Mandram is a big hall where indoor meetings, cultural activities and dramas are held/performed. In addition there are lot of buildings owned by business community and Government.Many lodges and hotels are available to suit anyone for comfortable stay and food. Hotels/Eating places serve all types of food of any region.
George Town is well served by the Public Transport System (Chennai Maanagara Perundhu Vasadhi) connecting each and every corner of the Metro City with a Terminus at Esplanade(Broadway Bus Stand) near Parry's Corner.Auto Rickshaws are available in plenty for commuters. There are two suburban Railway stations in this area namely Chennai Beach and Chennai Fort. One of two main Railway Terminus of the City 'Chennai Central' is very close in Park Town. The nearest Airports both International and domestic are at Meenambakkam/Trisulam, about 18 Kilometer distance away.
Political awarness among citizens of George town is very high. Almost all leaders of National and State political parties used to hold street meetings contacting people and propagating their aims and principles. Great leaders like C.N.Annadurai, K.Kamaraj, C.Rajagopalachary,E.V.K.Ramaswamy Naicker,M.P.Sivagnanam(Ma.Po.Si) Andhra leaders like T.Prakasam and also Mahatma Gandhi,Annie Besant and many others did not miss this part of the city. With huge immigrant population settled here, not only local and state politics but also politics of all other states of the country and even foreign nations are well known here. All political parties make it a point to be in good books of the citizens.
| Washermanpet | Royapuram | Chennai Port | ||
| Basin Bridge | Chennai Port | |||
| George Town | ||||
| Esplanade / Park Town | High Court / Fort St George | Parrys Corner |