Once known as Syedabad, Saidapet carries whispers of a rich past. This vibrant Chennai neighborhood wasn’t always part of the bustling metropolis. Imagine Saidapet as the administrative heart of the vast Chingleput district.
Saidapet’s story stretches back centuries. It started as an agricultural belt under the Nawabs. The area gained prominence under Mohammed Syed, later known as Saadatullah Khan. He was the Nawab of Arcot who lent his name to the locality. Over time Saidapet flourished. It became the largest town in the district. The British recognized its importance. They took control of Saidapet along with the rest of Chengalpattu in 1769.
In 1859 Saidapet officially became the district headquarters. The Collector of Chengalpattu held a powerful position. A grand Collectorate building was built by the Adyar River at Home’s Gardens. Sadly this beautiful Indo-Saracenic building was demolished in the 1990s. The ugly Panagal Building stands in its place. The Chengalpattu District Court was located near Guindy. It is now the Saidapet District Magistrate’s Court. It has been happily restored.
But everything changed in 1949. Adyar, Guindy, Saidapet, West Mambalam, and Kodambakkam were incorporated into Madras city. Chengalpattu regained its role as the district headquarters. Saidapet became a suburb of Madras. Yet it retains vestiges of its past glory.
The Maraimalai Adigal Bridge marks a key historical point in Saidapet. The original bridge was built in 1726 by the Armenian merchant Coja Petrus Uscan. This bridge was known as the Marmalong Bridge. It allowed pilgrims easy access to St. Thomas Mount. The current bridge replaced the old one. A stone plaque commemorates Coja Petrus’ contribution in Latin Armenian and Persian.
Saidapet has a unique blend of old and new. The Karaneeswarar Temple stands as a testament to the past. It is thought to have been built for the weaver community. The Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple is said to date back to the 12th century. Little Mount holds the legend of St. Thomas the Apostle.
Bazaar Street was once the heart of the market. Streets like Chetty Street and Brahmin Street recall the area’s village origins. The washermen once used the banks of the Adyar River. They laundered clothes on stones. Dhobikhana and Salavaikarar Streets preserve this memory. Jones Road pays tribute to JR Jones of the Madras Corporation. He introduced piped water from Red Hills.
Today Saidapet is a thriving locality. It boasts excellent connectivity with buses and railway lines. The Saidapet vegetables and non-vegetables market is famous throughout Tamil Nadu. The metro station connects Saidapet to the rest of Chennai. The locality is near schools colleges and hospitals. Saidapet provides a blend of history and modern life. As you explore its streets remember its journey. From a district headquarters to a vital Chennai neighborhood Saidapet continues to evolve.