Mylapore - History

History

It was historically known as Vedapuri. The town of Mylapore predates British rule by several centuries. As per available historical and archaeological evidence, it could well be the oldest part of Chennai, with written records of early settlements going back to the first century BC.

Mylapore was occupied by the Portuguese in 1523, who established the viceroyalty of "São Tomé de Meliapore" or "Saint Thomas of Mylapore." Portuguese rule lasted until 1749, except for a brief interrum between 1662 and 1687, when the town was occupied by the French.

After 1749, the town fell into the hands of the British East India Company, who took possession of the settlement in the name of Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, the Nawab of Arcot. In that same year, Mylapore was incorporated into the administration of the Presidency of Madras. The settlement known as "Luz" developed during this period. As early as 1760, an English writer James Taylor applied for land in the region known as "Luce." The name Luz might have originated from this.

Mylapore began to capture the limelight in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it rose as the commercial and intellectual hub of Madras city and became home to a vast array of British-educated lawyers and statesmen. Some of the luminaries based in Mylapore included Sir V. Bhashyam Aiyangar, Sir S. Subramania Iyer, Sir T. Madhava Rao, Eardley Norton, Sir P. S. Sivaswami Iyer, Pennathur Subramania Iyer, V. Krishnaswamy Iyer, Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, H Bhimasena Rau, C S Rama Rao Sahib, Subanthore Vasudeva Rao, CR Krishnaswamy Rao Sahib and the famous civil engineer C R Narayana Rao. Subanthore Vasudeva Rao's descendants still reside in his 100-year-old house near Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore

In recent times, increasing commercialization has changed the look of the area. Today, Mylapore is known for its residential colonies, temples, shopping malls, music halls and sabhas, along with old 19th century residential buildings and houses.