Maraimalai Adigal Bridge (Marmalong Bridge (1726-28): Bridges of Colonial Madras

Maraimalai Adigal Bridge (aka Marmalong Bridge), Adyar river, Saidapet (1726-28)

Plaque Commemorating the  construction of Marmalong Bridge by Coja Petrus Uscan (multinlingual inscriptions in Persian, Latin and Armenian)

The Maraimalai Adigal Bridge (previously the Marmalong Bridge) is one of oldest bridge in Chennai. It connects the northern banks of the Adyar river with the south. This bridge was originally built in 1726-28 at the cost of Rs. one lakh by the Armenian merchant, Coja Petrus Uscan. The merchant came to Madras in 1724 and built it by using his own money. The bridge was named after the nearby village of Mambalam which was Anglicized to Marmalan or Marmalong.

The dilapidated old bridge was replaced by a new one in the year 1966 built as part of the reconstruction and modernization efforts. Reconstructed in 1966 with prestressed concrete beams and slabs. Length of the bridge 770 ft. 12 spans of 60 ft. (average). Width of carriageway 81 ft. Width of footpath 10 ft. each. Cost of construction 42.5 lakh. The new bridge is named after Maraimalai Adigal, Tamil writer and proponent of the Pure Tamil movement.

Uscan's construction of the bridge is commemorated by a plaque at the northern end of the bridge adjoining the Saidapet bus stand. The Armenian merchant also constructed the steps which led to the historical National Catholic shrine atop St Thomas Mount in 1726. There is also a plaque commemorating Uscan's legacy.

Panagal Maligai: An Important Landmark in Saidapettai

Panagal Maligai aka Panagal Building @ Jeenis Road, Saidapet

'Panagal Maaligai' aka 'Panagal Building,' located No.1, Jeenis Road, Saidapet, Chennai- 600 015, an important landmark in Colonial Madras, houses the offices of the Department of Forest, Government of Tamil Nadu. The offices include the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Chief Wildlife Warden, five Additional Principal Chief Conservators of Forests and eight Chief Conservator of Forests. This imposing heritage structure stands on the banks of Adyar river.

The multi-storeyed skyscraper building was constructed upon the site of the erstwhile Revenue Office building. The Revenue Office building itself was named as 'Panagal Maligai' aka 'Panagal Building' and was named after the Raja of Panagal. 

Raja of Panagal
(Wikimedia Commons)

Before this the Chingleput (composite Chingleput district including Kanchipuram and Chinglepet districts) District Collector’s Office, a grand old edifice was located at this location.

Saidapettai, a residential neighbourhood of Chennai, got its name from Sayyid Shah (Sayyid Musalman Sahib) an important court officer in the court of Nawab of Arcot. In 1730 Sayyid Shah obtained some parts of land of present Saidapettai (including Kotturpuram and Nandanam) from  Nawab of Arcot as a gift. Later this town was taken over by British East India Company when Chinglepet Jaghir was formed. During 1945 - 46 this suburban locality was merged with Madras corporation.