This being the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, we at Madras Musings did a photo feature on the places associated with him in the city. This is not a complete list and we welcome feedback on other locations. The places featured below are spots that the Mahatma visited and does include memorials to him, of which there are quite a few in the city.
The Hindu Theological (now Higher Secondary) School, Mint Street, which he visited in 1896. The facade is much changed now.
The YMCA, Esplanade, where he spoke in 1915 at the McConnaughy Hall
The VP Hall where he attended a staging of Harischandra by the Suguna Vilasa Sabha troupe in 1915
Pachayappa’s Hall, where he spoke in 1915
Lawley Hall, owned by the Anjuman-i-Himayat-Islam, where he spoke in 1915
The Spur Tank (above) where he attended the All India Congress Session 1927
The YMIA Gokhale Hall, where he spoke several times, the first being in 1915
My Ladye’s Garden, People’s Park, where he addressed the Madras Bar Association in 1915. He was also accorded a civic welcome in the 1930s here by the Corporation of Madras
Marker outside Fortune Hotel, Cathedral Road, commemorating Gandhi’s stay at Tilak Bhavan in 1919, when he dreamt up non-cooperation as a weapon for freedom
The Ramakrishna Mission Students Home that Gandhi visited in 1915 and 1925
Tilak Ghat, now Thilakar Thidal on the Marina, where Gandhi addressed the public on numerous occasions
The offices of GA Natesan and Co, George Town, where Gandhi stayed in 1915
Patters Gardens, Royapettah, when it was the residence of Lodd Govinddoss. Gandhi visited here in 1915. It has since been demolished. The Congress Party’s Satyamurti Bhavan occupies a part of the grounds
The plaque at Central Station that commemorates his numerous arrivals and departures by train
The offices of The Hindu – No 100, Mount Road, since demolished. Gandhi visited in 1921 and unveiled a portrait of Kasturi Ranga Iyengar here
Unity House, Perambur, offices of the then M&SM Railway Union. Gandhi laid its foundation stone in 1927
Mahatma Gandhi was the founder of this institution and he also laid the foundation stone of its present premises in 1946
Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, foundation stone laid by Gandhi in 1946
Several other locations are either untraceable or have been demolished leaving no photographs. These include the Madras Mahajana Sabha’s old premises, Amjad Baugh, the Lakshmi Memorial Arya Pathashala and the Arya Vaisya Mahasabha.
Very nice. Where can I find the plaque in central station?
Just before you enter platform 5
The Amrutanjan building and the adjoining Bank of Baroda Building in Luz. I think Gandhi visited and spent some time there, as I was told numerous times while working in that area.
Thanks.
Gandhiji stayed in MrSivakozhandu Mudaliar’s Baghdad house, Patel rd, near Rly stn, Perambur, Chennai 600011.The owner recently died. His family stays there.