About FORT ST. GEORGE

Fort St. George Museum is one of the historical landmarks in Chennai and was the first fortress in India. Built by the British East India Company in 1640 and this is believed to be the first British establishment in India. It still serves as an important base for the Indian Army. The Fort has recently become home to the administrative offices of Tamil Nadu Government and the Legislative Assembly.  The entire complex is administered by the Department of Defence.

          In the fort you can find St. Mary’s Church, one of the oldest surviving churches built by the British. The Ripon building, The Madras High Court, The railway station, is few architectural marvels. The museum began with a small collection of objects of the British Raj donated by the then Madras Presidency Government, the St. Mary's Church authorities, the disbanded army units and others. The building housing the museum is one of the oldest surviving buildings built within the fort.