Siege of Madras - The Battlefield of St. Thomas Mount

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Located in a well-maintained cantonment area with the ancient and beautiful Garrison Church as its neighbor, the vast Golf garden is incredibly calm. It is hard to believe that this peaceful site was once a bloody battlefield. It was one of many sites where the European nations played power games. It stands out as a witness of their struggle for supremacy.

The French troops captured Madras in 1746. The treaty after the "War of the Austrian Succession" made the British regain the city in 1748. After ten years, the French army, under the command of Comte de Lally, was marching to besiege Madras. The series of battles fought between December 1758 and February 1759 is called the "Siege of Madras".
Lally attacked and looted Black Town. The British army, under the leadership of Yusuf Khan, Achilles Preston, and John Caillaud, carried out a series of attacks on the French army around Kanchipuram. On 27th December 1758 CE, Yusuf Khan (Marudanayagam) marched St. Thomas Mount. The battle was fought for three days on this site, which is turned into a playground now. Khan's soldiers were defeated by Count Lally's men. However, Achilles Preston's unit came to help Khan, and it caused heavy losses to the French army.

Madras never ceases to surprise us - so many places to visit - and so many pieces of history to learn - all remain hidden and unexplored.

Happy travelling.


Visit my site, krishnakumartk.com, to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.




Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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