Greetings from Madras
A very early "Greetings from"postcard. Note how the top two images are also prefixed with a "View of" as part of the title. See the version with a message in French.
Chennai
High Court, Madras, from South
"The High Court's imposing, labyrinthine Indo-Sarcenic buildings, with long corridors, high ceilings, much ornamental tiling, carving and iron-work, beautiful stained glass arches and portrait gallery, is one of the City's landmarks," wrote the late
Buckingham Canal Basin, Madras.
The Buckingham Canal is an almost 500 mile long freshwater canal built in the 19th century that runs along the Coromandel coast in eastern India.
Madras Seven Pagodas
[Original caption] Madras, Seven pagodas. This is the largest of the Seven pagodas of Mahabalipuram (once a city and now a village), 35 miles south of Madras.
A little Brahmin Beauty, Madras
Little children were one of the most popular subjects of early postcards from Chennai (Madras). Many of the little children in these postcards wore – or were dressed with – a lot of jewelry, which would have made them compelling subjects.
Madras. Chepauk Palace.
[Original caption] Madras. Chepauk Palace.
Madras, Government House
[Original caption] Madras, Government House. Government House looks out upon the Coom river at the back, and its front gives upon Mount Road, the principal street in Madras.
The River Cooum, Madras
A view of the shortest river (76 miles) to empty into the Bay of Bengal, and a long-critical artery for Chennai, at a time when it was much less polluted than today.
A Toddy Shop
"In India, the toddy shop may well be called ‘The Poor Man’s Club’," wrote Mahatma Gandhi in Harijan (1928),"the well- to-do folks have Willingdon Clubs and Gymkhanas of diverse description, to fulfil their instinct of sociability and to give them
Madras, Seven Pagodas
[Original caption] Madras, Seven Pagodas. These extraordinary buildings are to be seen at Mahabilipuram, 35 miles south of the city of Madras.
