Madras Day Celebrated on 22 August 2025.
Important Days
The city of Madras (now Chennai) celebrates Madras Day every year on 22 August, marking the purchase of Madraspatnam in 1639 by agents of the British East India Company—among India’s earliest colonial settlements.
- On 22 August 1639, the British East India Company, through officials Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, acquired a coastal strip known as Madraspatnam from the local Nayak rulers—laying the foundation for what evolved into the city of Madras.
- Madras Day as an annual observance was initiated in 2004 by Chennai historian S. Muthiah, Vincent D’Souza (editor of Mylapore Times) and Sashi Nair (director/editor, Press Institute of India), aiming to celebrate the city’s rich heritage.
Main Point :- (i) The commemoration features heritage walks, talks, exhibitions, food festivals, quizzes, photo contests, and more—engaging communities, schools, cultural groups, and tourists in exploring the city’s history, architecture, cuisine, and multicultural legacy.
(ii) The 1639 acquisition led to erection of Fort St. George and the growth of surrounding settlements like George Town, ultimately extending into the sprawling metropolis of Chennai—now a major cultural, educational, and economic hub in India.
(iii) Madras Day has expanded over the years—from a single day to “Madras Week” or longer—celebrated across the city with over a hundred events that reflect civic pride, awareness, unity, and preservation of Chennai’s cultural identity.
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