By K. Ramanraj
The Fort St. George, all by itself is a museum, worth admiring and it provides an endless exercise to the mind. Its construction was started in the 1600’s itself. From humble beginnings as a small fort to store the goods purchased for exporting to England, it grew to be the power centre of South India. The Fort is massive in its construction, with plenty of places to see and enjoy.
The museum preserves the uniforms of the British servants, namely the chief commander of the Viceroy, the Chief Under Secretary and the others. The flags of the empire are also in display. There are several cannons, mortars, muzzle loading guns, pistols, rifles, daggers, knives, bayonets, spears and ammunition. There is also a petard on display, which was used to demolish bridges and fort main gates. The helmets used by the British which are plain steel ones, resembling the modern helmet, and the Chinese ones made of brass, with special symbols protruding above the top are queer and quite a sight. The armours appear to be worn out by use.
The cutlery used by the British, Nabobs of Arcot, and the French are also on display. The porcelain wares resemble the modern ones in size and shape. The stained soup bowls and spoons are exquisite, and all of them bear the royal seal. Even the lids and plates are endorsed with the royal seal. One peculiar feature was that, a couple of plates and bowls had some kind of arrangement to keep them warm. The dishes had a bottom with two openings, probably, to be filled with hot water, to keep the plate or bowl above it warm.
There are plenty of stamps brought out by the British. The coins are also in display. The statues of Cornwallis and Monroe are impressive. The ground floor also has a scaled model of the fort, with charts describing the progress of the expansion of the fort.
The portrait gallery is impressive, with paintings of the British rulers by Ravi Varma and others. The canvass portrait of King George V is life like, and you will be stunned by its depth. The King gazes at us through his hazel blue eyes. His beard and moustache grow out with life, and it is hard to believe that it is only a portrait. No modern photograph I have seen reproduce such colour, depth or life. The royal bearing is brilliantly brought out by the artist, whose name has not been inscribed. The portraits of other royal ladies are also impressive. There is a section which displays the Rulers of Mysore.
There are several etchings too, which portray the life in Madras between 1600 and 1900. The British appear to have taken very close looks at our living. The etchings are made by an interesting process. A well polished copper plate is coated with wax, and the artist etches out a drawing, cutting the wax and exposing the copper beneath. The plate is then immersed in dilute nitric acid, and the exposed copper reacts to form a block. It is then used to print on paper. Horses, elephants, palanquins, and carts appear to have been used as the main modes of transport. Several paintings and etchings show the commercial life of the city. Merchandise being loaded and unloaded from ships, British women and children arriving at the harbour adjoining the fort, are all beautiful.
The French section displays the things, crockery, clocks, chairs and furniture used by them in the past. The lanterns and lamp shades are exquisite and tastefully designed. They look new and usable even today. The British, appear to have toured Tamil Nadu, even by 1700, and there are several paintings and etchings, which depict the Tanjore Pagoda Temple, Rock Fort at Tiruchi, and many other palaces in Madurai.
The British appear to have evinced keen interest in about everything in India, and elaborately planned all their actions. I have merely touched upon a few interesting things at the Fort Museum. The Fort Museum in Chennai (formerly Madras), India, is a must for all those who would like to peek into history when Europeans ruled India.
Copyright (C) 2001 K. Ramanraj
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