Indian Columbus

 Udagamandalam, popularly known as Ooty, is a well-known tourist destination across the country. Thousands of tourists throng to the Queen of Hills to enjoy their holidays. No doubt! But, not even 5% of those tourists visit this beautiful 200 years old church with significant heritage value. Let me introduce you to this less frequented site of Ooty, known as St. Stephen's Church . In the early 1800s, Ooty became almost like a summer capital for the Britishers of Madras presidency. Stephen Rumbold Lushington , the successor of Thomas Munro and the Governor of Madras, felt the need for a church in Ooty exclusively for the British and made arrangements to build the same. He laid the foundation for the church on 23rd April 1829 .  With John James Underwood , the Captain of Madras Regiment, as the architect, the structure was constructed within one year. The extensive wooden work and Burma work ceiling would awe any visitor. All these timber were taken from Tipu Sultan's palace in ...

Here lies the body of the Madras Man, who immensely contributed to the causes of Armenians, whose heart lies in Julfa. Yes! This article is about the site where the tombstone of the wealthy Armenian, Coja Petrus Uscan , who always loved his native place, is located. (Julfa was the headquarters of Armenian merchants). Would the history of Madras be complete without mentioning this Madras Man? Uscan was the most prominent Armenian in Madras during his times. He served as the Company Councilor for the British East India Company. He constructed the steps that led to St. Thomas Mount Catholic shrine and a bridge across the Adyar river to provide a safe passage for the pilgrims to the same site. He also contributed to constructing St. Rita's Church.  Post the French invasion, the Britishers demolished the Catholic chapel inside St. George's Fort. Uscan, who lived inside the Fort, built a church for Catholics in Vepery. He named the church as Nosa Senhora de Milagre (also known as the...

As Madras was growing well beyond the walls of St. George's Fort, the need arose to build a new Church in the city's extended locality. Thus, the iconic St. George's Cathedral was built in 1815 CE. Within three years, the foundation stone for another church, equally big and architecturally wonderful, was laid out mainly for the influential Scots in Madras. The church is known as St. Andrew's Church , or simply, the Kirk .  (Note: I have written about this site in my blog ten years ago. I am covering the same site again with a lot of additional information.) History The East India Company had a large number of Scottish soldiers. Hence, the need arose for a Church to serve them and their families. The foundation stone of Andrew's Church was laid out on 6th April 1818 CE by Rev. Dr. John Allen , as per the rites of the Church of Scotland. The Presbyterian Church is fondly referred to as "The Queen of Scottish Churches in the East" .  The church is popularly...