Senate House, Indo-Saracenic university building in Chennai, India
Senate House is a university building in Indo-Saracenic style featuring four corner towers crowned with onion domes and decorated with colorful brick and stone patterns in a symmetrical layout. The structure combines Middle Eastern features with classical European proportions, creating a distinctive architectural presence on campus.
Architect Robert Fellowes Chisholm designed this building between 1869 and 1873 as the main academic facility for the University of Madras. It was built during a period when British and local building styles were mixing together to create something new.
The building displays a blend of Indian, Islamic, and British design elements that emerged during colonial times. Walking around it, you can see how different architectural traditions come together in the same structure.
The building is located within the University of Madras grounds and is primarily used for university functions and ceremonial occasions. Visitors should know that access may be limited depending on academic events taking place.
A statue of Queen Victoria stands south of the building and was commissioned in 1887 by Rajah Goday Naranyanan Gujputel Rao. The monument reflects the connection between local aristocracy and the university during colonial times.
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