The Senate House is the administrative centre of the University of Madras in

Chennai, India. It is situated in Wallajah Road, along Marina Beach.

Constructed by Robert Chisholm between 1874 and 1879,[1] the Senate
building is considered to be one of the best and oldest examples of IndoSaracenic architecture in India.[2]

Contents

1 History
2 Architecture
3 See also
4 Notes
5 References

History

Robert Chisholm was a 19th-century British architect who is considered to be

one of the pioneers of Indo-Saracenic architecture.[3][4] Initially designing
buildings using the Renaissance and Gothic styles of architecture,[5]
Chisholm switched over to Indo-Saracenic with the construction of the PWD
buildings of the Chepauk Palace in 1871.[6][7]

In 1864, the Madras government gave an advertisement inviting designs for

the Senate House building.[8] Chisholm's design was eventually approved
and the building was constructed between April 1874 and 1879.[8][9][10] A
saluting battery was present at the site prior to the construction of the
Senate House.[11] Prior to the construction of the Senate House, university
convocations were held at Banqueting Hall (now Rajaji Hall).[12] During July
14-December 21, 1937 the legislature of the Madras Presidency met at the
senate house.[13]

Senate House, Madras - Tucks Oileete (1911)[14]

Senate House
Every city has its heritage corners and University of Madrass Senate House is
definitely one. With so many old buildings being brought down to make way
for new high rises, there are very few old ones left to remind us of the bygone
raj era.

University of Madras also popularly known, as Madras University came into

existence on Sep 5, 1857 and is one of the three oldest universities in India.
Situated near the popular Marina beach, this collegiate university has six
campuses and more than 50 departments.

Robert Fellowes Chisholm, a well-known British architect, built the Senate

House of University of Madras between 1874 and 1879. Built in the IndoSaracenic style of architecture, the Senate House is touted to be the finest
examples of this style in India.

While most buildings were following gothic and renaissance style of building,
the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture was a quite modern venture for that
era. Incorporating many elements of Byzantine architecture, Robert Chisholm
was an extraordinary architect of his age. Named as The wonder of Chennai
the Senate House has a huge central hall with corridors and six colossus
pillars on either side. With over six porches, flanking the side of the building,
the roof was built with brick and lime mortar.

Senate House also boasts of a beautiful convocation hall that has hosted
innumerable functions and convocations, ushering many young minds into
the society to enrich and nourish. And for many years, it housed the office of
Vice Chancellor, Registrar and many important Departments of Study and
Research.

The Senate House also has an historical significance as the first elected
Madras Legislative was formally convened here in 1937. And Madras Music
Academy, an institution for Indian classical music, used this building as their
venue during the early days of classical concert.

Sadly as with any other historical building, age has become a factor for this
heritage monument. Today the University does not convene here to graduate
young students nor do classical music concerts take place here. Yet no
building can match the expansive old world charm that this building brings to
the city. With efforts on to rescue this heritage building from ruin and
disrepair, many philanthropists and art lovers are pitching in preserve that
graceful monument.

Side view of the Senate House, University of Madras

Architecture
Senate House
Location:

University of Madras Campus

Built In:

1873

Designed By:

Robert Fellowes Chisholm

Senate HouseIt is one of the finest monuments in Chennai and a living

example which shows the remarkable architectural skills of the famous
architect of 19th century, Robert Fellowes Chisholm. The wonder of Chennai,
the Senate house, located on the Madras University Campus, near Marina is a
landmark in Chennai. The structure is a live example of the Indo-Saracenic
style with a harmonious blend of Byzantine architectural features.

The Senate house has a central hall with corridors on the ground floor. The
corridors stand on six massive pillars standing on either side. Also the four
sky touching towers standing at each of the corners of the building gives it a
dazzling look. The six porches, two on the eastern and western sides of the
building and one each on the northern and southern side of the building
further lend the structure a vintage look. There also are three segmental arch
openings in each porch in the east, west and south of the porch. The roof is
made of brick shell with lime mortar.

The senate house has a convocation hall, beautiful porticos, a parapet that

surrounds these porticos, halls for meetings, a library etc. It had offices of the
Vice Chancellor and the Registrar and the university departments of study
and research earlier. The site has been ruled for almost 125 years by the
senate house and it has been the venue of many functions and convocations
were held in the central hall till 1965; later the venue was shifted to
Centenary Convocation Auditorium. It was used for meetings of the senate,
syndicate and academic departments of the university. The venue was a
convention centre too, in the past, when there were not many modern
facilities available. It also housed administrative offices of the University. The
meetings of the senate, academic council and of the faculties were held in
some of the smaller halls.

The halls were used as a meeting place of first elected Madras Legislative
when it was convened in 1937. The Senate House was also the venue for
Madras Music Academy in the first years of that institution. Though, the use
of Senate house was limited to holding of the convocations and examinations,
after the construction of new departmental library building and later on the
centenary building, besides being used as classrooms for teaching foreign
languages. After the constructions of the massive centenary auditorium in
1960 the convocations were held there after 1965.

Sadly, with as time passed by, this proud structure lost its old world charm for
which it was, and still is popular. However, efforts have been made to restore
its charm with help of renovation and in order to avoid any tampering with its
original structure, the university is making earnest efforts. It has researched
into the matter and has appealed to alumni, lovers of art, philanthropists, the
public and private organizations to come forward to preserve the grand
Senate House.