Indo Saracenic Architecture in Chennai, India

Classic Heritage Buildings a Must See on your Visit to South India

Cherished by residents and admired by tourists, the stately Indo Saracenic buildings that dot the skyline form a much-loved aspect of Chennai and intrinsic to the city. Housing the University, Government offices, the Railway Station and even banks, these buildings bring together a light-hearted combination of Hindu and Mughal elements; Gothic arches, domes, minarets, stained glass, often in red or sandstone finish.

The Indo Saracenic Genre

The genre of Indo Saracenic architecture came into its own with the work of Robert Fellowes Chisholm. Others who contributed to the development of this genre in the nineteenth and early twentieth century, along with Chisholm, were Henry Irwin and Gilbert Scott. Early inspirational works of Chisholm include the famous Presidency College and the Senate House of the Madras University, both outstanding examples of the architecture of the period.

University and College Buildings: A Walk on the Seafront

A great place for architecture-lovers to wander around would be the Madras University Buildings with the famous Senate House, and along the beach road, where in close proximity stand the Chepauk Palace, once home to the Nawab of Arcot, and the Presidency College. Further along will bring you to Queen Mary’s College, and finally the tastefully restored Office of the DG of Police, that was the city’s first Masonic Hall.

Railway Headquarters and Station: Hub of Activity

The beauty of Chennai is that these buildings are at the heart of city life, not musty monuments of the past. One of the most impressive examples of Indo Saracenic architecture is the magnificent sandstone building that houses the Headquarters of the Southern Railway on Poonamallee High Road, another of the city’s main arteries.

While this is a building you might have to admire from the outside, you can wander about freely in the equally fascinating building next door, the Central Railway Station! Further along the road is the famous Ripon Building in dazzling white, named after Lord Ripon and housing the Chennai Corporation.

Other Buildings Worth Seeing

If you have time, also take in the Egmore Railway Station, another old-world building in red and white bustling with modern-day activity. The Madras High Court buildings are also worth a visit.

In addition to Indo Saracenic architecture, Chennai is also home to some outstanding examples of Pallava temple architecture like the Parthasarathy Temple, and modern engineering marvels like Valluvar Kottam. A good idea would be to hire a cab for a day, and meander around the city soaking in the architecture, but with some escape from the sun.