If the name 'Anna Salai' doesn't ring you a bell, you are not a Chennaite; unless, you are accustomed to the old-fashioned Mount road! I've always wondered why this flat placid track would be called Mount Road for no reason. Interestingly none of the Chennaivasis I know - be of any age - gave me a convincing reason. After a bit of online research and visits to couple of book stores, here is why.
Anna Salai - the arterial road of Chennai, is as old as the city itself, and has played its part in defining modern Chennai's economic and social history. Built over 400 years ago, it was initially a dirt road, used by British garrisons at Fort St. George (in North Chennai) to visit St. Thomas Mount (South Chennai), the hill where St. Thomas, one of Jesus' 12 apostles, lived his last years. As the Britishers strengthened their political base in Madras Presidency, the hill became a frequented pilgrimage spot. Hence the road came to be called Mount Road (seemingly an abbreviation of St. Thomas Mount Road). Some attribute the name as an abbreviation to Lord Mountbatten Road - but considering the history of the road, and Lord Mountbatten's tenure in India, this doesn't sound logical. Also, the road ends at Kathipara, close to the St. Thomas Mount foot hill, adding more weight-age to the prior claim. Another tit-bit - the road in the 1600s had to circumvent the Adyar river which cut across the town, and was considerably longer. In 1700s, a shorter route was facilitated by the construction of Marmalong bridge near Saidapet. This bridge, though vastly reconstructed in 1960s, still stands and is now called Maraimalai Adigal bridge. Now, Anna Salai stretches 11 km from Cooum creek and ends at Kathipara junction. Chennai's Kilometer Zero is calculated close to the northern end of the road near the mouth of Cooum.
Ironically, a post on Chennai had to end with the word 'Cooum' :(
- Arun
Next in this series:
Is Ashargana famous for gana songs?
Did Britishers really tax walls on WallTax Road?
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