Tamil Nadu Timeline

InfrastructureEast India Company rule

Railway construction begins at Royapuram

· Royapuram

Railway construction begins at Royapuram
Darren Burnham, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Work on South India's first main railway line, from Madras towards Arcot, began at Royapuram in 1853.

The Madras Railway began construction of its first main line in 1853. Laying of the line commenced at Royapuram in north Madras, where the terminus was built. The first section, from Royapuram to Wallajah Road near Arcot, opened in 1856. Royapuram is described as the second oldest railway station still operating in India, after Howrah.

Related events

  1. 1845

    1. 8 May 1845ChennaiInfrastructure

      Madras Railway Company formed

      The Madras Railway was established to build the first main line railways of South India.

  2. 1852

    1. 1852Wellington, Tamil NaduGovernance

      Wellington cantonment established in the Nilgiris

      The military station of Jakkatalla in the Nilgiris was renamed Wellington and construction of its barracks began.

  3. 1855

    1. 7 Oct 1855Chepauk PalaceGovernance

      Carnatic Nawabship abolished under the Doctrine of Lapse

      On the death of the last Nawab, Ghulam Muhammad Ghouse Khan, the Company abolished the Carnatic Nawabship.

  4. 1856

    1. 1 Jul 1856Royapuram railway stationInfrastructure

      First train in South India, Royapuram to Wallajah Road

      The Madras Railway opened South India's first railway line, from Royapuram in Madras to Wallajah Road near Arcot.

  5. 1862

    1. 1862BeyporeInfrastructure

      Madras Railway reaches the west coast at Beypore

      The Madras Railway completed its line to Beypore, linking Madras by rail with the west coast; a branch to Bangalore followed in 1864.

  6. 1949

    1. 17 Sep 1949RoyapuramPolitics

      Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founded

      Breaking away from Periyar's Dravidar Kazhagam, C. N. Annadurai and his associates formed the DMK in Madras.

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