But why is this gate called Wallajah Gate? It’s a question I get asked all the time here at Fort St George. Let’s unravel the story behind this historic entrance.
Wallajah Gate owes its name to Nawab Muhammad Ali Wallajah. He was the Nawab of Arcot. He had close ties with the British.
Nawab Wallajah desired a residence within Fort St George. Space constraints led him to build his palace elsewhere. He built it in Chepauk. The English, however, built a Wallajah Gate for the Nawab. It was on the Cooum-side of the Fort. This allowed Wallajah easy access to hobnob with British officials.
The gate became known as Wallajah Gate. It served as a connection between the British and the Nawab. It stands on the western inner wall of the Fort.
Now, take a moment to observe the thick walls. Imagine the soldiers who once stood guard here. They were ready to defend against any threat. The two gates are angled. Any enemy breaching the outer gate would face a surprise at the inner gate.
Vehicles and pedestrians use Wallajah Gate today. It wasn’t always this way. Regulations once dictated the direction of entry or exit. These rules were not for everyone.
An incident in 1845 highlights this. The Governor of Madras, the Marquis of Tweeddale, defied the entry rules. He ordered his carriage to exit via Wallajah Gate. His action caused an impasse with an incoming civilian carriage. The Marquis refused to back down. He had the civilian’s horses unyoked and the carriage impounded.
The gate also hosted processions and pageants. In 1799, the standard of Tipu Sultan entered the Fort through Wallajah Gate. This ceremonial parade followed Tipu Sultan’s defeat. The Governor General and the Governor of Madras were present.
The Wallajah Gate was a site for military ceremonies. Troops would line up from Wallajah Gate to the Sea Gate. They would do this when a General retired. Governors of Madras received the keys to the Fort at Wallajah Gate.
Today, Wallajah Gate stands as a functional entrance. Its wooden doors remain. They hint at a history of changing times.
The legacy of Nawab Wallajah extends beyond this gate. His name lives on in Chennai. There is the Wallajah Mosque, Wallajah Road and Walajabad. He was a supremely dignified gentleman.
As you pass through Wallajah Gate, remember its past. It’s a reminder of the alliance between the British and Nawab Wallajah.