more-in There are three things which appeal to people about the Madras High Court — its legal history, architecture and the contribution of its lawyers to the development of the city. Participants at a heritage walk on the court complex this morning got insights into all these aspects on Sunday morning. The walk was attended by students of architecture, law and heritage enthusiasts. “This is the place where the development of modern India began,” said M.L. Raja, senior advocate and member of the MHC Heritage Committee, while talking about the heritage of the building, which was built in the Indo Saracenic style. He also spoke about the Supreme Court of Madras, which was was earlier set up on First Line Beach Road, now Rajaji Salai. “It functioned between the years 1800 and 1862. However, in the early 1980’s it was pulled down and in that location stands the Singaravelar Maligai,” he said, and pointed out that the only structure remaining on that campus was a cupola which used to house statues. He later took the group to the lighthouse tower to offer a grand view of the court. The lighthouse was opened a year ago by the MHC Heritage Committee, after remaining shut for nearly 35 years. “The second and third lighthouses in the city were set up on this campus. The third one is the tallest tower of the court,” he said. “Some of the greatest lawyers of the country such as Rajaji, and T. Prakasam have walked the corridors of the court. There are few historical buildings like this in the country today,” said Mr. Raja.

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