Fort Museum - Chennai

St. George's Fort in Chennai stands tall with its iconic Fort Museum, a captivating journey into history. Originally, this elegant colonial-era edifice was the residence of Peter Massey Cassin, a free Merchant whose legacy lingers in its walls.

The Exchange House, a haven for merchants, partially opened its doors in 1790 after a lottery-funded endeavor, reaching completion by 1795. Grounded in history, its ground floor once buzzed with warehouses, offices, and the Madras Bank, while the Exchange hall on the first floor witnessed bustling trade.

A fascinating historical nugget emerges from 1790 when the proposal for the first Circulating Library of Madras within the Exchange's premises stirred interest. Perched atop this hub of commerce, the first lighthouse in Madras illuminated the city's skyline from 1796 to 1837.

In a shift of fortunes, Governor Edward Clive led the merchant community to the First Line Beach by 1801. Later, in 1861, a new chapter dawned as the building transformed into the Regimental Officer's Mess, echoing tales of camaraderie until the 1930s.

The vision of Lt. Col D M Reid in 1944 heralded the museum's genesis, culminating in the Exchange Museum, now the famed Fort Museum, by 1948. Today, this three-floor marvel hosts a trove of over 3,700 antique artifacts, weaving a tapestry of India's historical epochs.

On the ground floor, galleries abound:

Arms Gallery: A display of British-era weaponry, from petards to pistols.

Medal Gallery: Showcasing service medals and commemorative pieces.

Textile Gallery: Unveiling the hues of uniforms and regimental colors.

Porcelain Gallery: A glimpse into the treasures of English, French, and local rulers.

Fort St. George Gallery: A model of the fort, church relics, and archival records.

Among the ground floor's gems are fragments from historical moments:

A shell shard from the German Cruiser Emden's 1914 bombardment of Madras.

A fragment of a bomb dropped by a Japanese Fighter Craft on Madras in 1943.

The ground floor also boasts two monumental statues:

A bronze likeness of Lord Willingdon, Viceroy of India, sculpted by MS Nagappa in 1930. This remarkable statue of Lord Willingdon depicts him standing with one arm on his hip, the other carrying an Earl’s coronet. Decorated with the Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India, the statue stands poised, almost as if about to step off its pedestal. Originally placed at the Gymkhana Club, it was later relocated to the Fort Museum.

A marble portrait statue of Lord Cornwallis, shipped from Britain, unveiled in 1800. This statue commemorates Cornwallis' successful treaty with Tipu Sultan, showing the transfer of Tipu Sultan's sons as hostages. Originally placed on the parade ground of Fort St. George, it was later moved to the Ionic Cupola in front of the Secretariat. Post-Independence, it found its place in the reading room of the Connemara Library before finally resting in the Fort Museum.

Ascend to the first floor, that retains its original wooden flooring, a realm of regal portraits and numismatic treasures:

Painting Gallery: Portraits of British royalty and Indian rulers.

Coin Gallery: A treasury of colonial and native rulers' coinage.

Prints by Thomas and William Daniells: A window to historical perspectives.

Temporary Exhibition Gallery: A rotating showcase of antiquities.

On the second floor, a poignant relic awaits:

The sole surviving Indian tricolor from the August 15, 1947, flag hoisting.

Medals, Stamps, and Indian Independence-related memorabilia.

Freedom Movement Gallery: A tribute to Tamil Nadu's valiant freedom fighters.

Outside, the museum's surroundings are adorned with an array of cannons, standing silent sentinels to history's march. Explore the Fort Museum, where every corner resonates with the echoes of a bygone era, and every artifact tells a story of India's rich heritage.

Happy travelling.