Madras High Court, Supreme appellate court in Chennai, India
Description
Madras High Court is a large courthouse in central Chennai with red brick walls, pointed towers and arched openings. The structure rises several storeys with spacious inner courtyards and connected wings that house numerous courtrooms and administrative chambers.
History
This court began operations under British colonial rule in 1862 with three judges deciding civil and criminal cases. After Indian independence, jurisdiction expanded to cover states including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and later other regions in southern India.
Culture
Courtrooms combine English legal traditions with Tamil proceedings, and lawyers wear black robes during hearings. Outside the main hall, visitors and relatives wait under shaded arcades, while law offices line the surrounding streets and form a busy legal community.
Practical
The complex is located in the old town, and visitors should choose respectful clothing if attending hearings. Security checks take place at the entrance, so allow extra minutes to pass through screening.
Did you know?
Some judges wear traditional white wigs modelled on English practice during ceremonial sessions, a custom retained in few Indian courts. The main hall features tall wooden panels and heavy chandeliers reminiscent of Victorian parliamentary chambers.
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British rule in India from 1800 to 1947 left a distinct architectural legacy across major Indian cities. European styles including Victorian Gothic, Neoclassical and Renaissance merged with Indian decorative motifs and craftsmanship. The result was the Indo-Saracenic style, a hybrid form that...
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