HISTORY OF SAIDAPET

Saidapet, History and Origins :

Saidapet is named after Sayyid Shah (Sayyid Musalman Sahib), official of the court of the Nawab of Arcot. The then Nawab of Arcot gifted these parts to Sayyid Shah in 1730. However, Saidapet at that time also included Kotturpuram and Nandanam. Saidapet was founded by the Nawab of the Carnatic in the 18th century AD and was named Sayyid Khan Pettah after Sayyid Khan, the army commander of the Nawab's forces. When the kingdom began to decline, Saidapet was occupied by the British East India Company and was made the administrative headquarters of Chengalpet district. The health district in Chengalpet district is split into Saidapet hud and Kanchipuram hud. Panagal building which is a part of Saidapet is a famous landmark.Saidapet is also known as Saidai.Saidapet was obtained by the British East India Company in the 1700s along with the jaghir of Chingleput. From 1859 to 1947, Saidapet served as the district headquarters of Chingleput District. In 1947, the headquarters was shifted to Chengalpattu. Saidapet was included in Madras city during 1945-46 and since then forms a part of the corporation. Saidapet had a large weaver population and handlooms were in operation as late as 1990.

HISTORICAL POPULATION
YEAR 1881 1891 1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 `

POPULATION 10,290 5,702 14,254 15,635 18,900 33,037 41,347

Saidapet had a sizeable washerman population.Residents of Theedeer Nagar, near the Maramalai Adigal Paalam (earlier, Marmalong Bridge) and on the northern bank of the Adyar river as it courses through Saidapet, were predominantly washermen.

As the colony sprang up suddenly, it was called Theedeer Nagar (sudden in Tamil).

Saidapet was a taluk in the while Chengelpet district (which was later split into Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur districts), whose collectorate office was located where the Government Arts College (Nandanam) came up later.

OCCUPATION
Saidapet was the hub of handloom, and jatkas connected far-flung areas. Chintadripet and Saidapet were the forefront of handloom weaving. While hand-weaving as a small-scale industry faded away from most localities, it thrived for a long time in Saidapet.

MARMALONG BRIDGE
The Maraimalai Adigal Bridge (previously the Marmalong Bridge) connects the northern banks of the Adyar river with the south. This bridge was originally built in 1726 by Coja Petrus Uscan. The dilapidated old bridge was replaced by a new one in the 1960s built as part of the reconstruction and modernization efforts. During floods, the colony used to get submerged. Whenever this happened, the government provided relief. In the mid-1960s, attempts to relocate the residents failed. Later, the locality was raised by sand-filling, plots were allotted and residents were allowed to continue their traditional profession. During floods, the colony used to get submerged. Later, the locality was raised by sand-filling, plots were allotted and residents were allowed to continue their traditional profession.

HISTORIC BUILDING :TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGE

Despite years of abandonment, the tablet laid by C. Subramaniam, minister of education, in 1956 at the centenary block of the Teacher Training College in Saidapet affirms its place in history. The centenary block of the Teacher Training College in Saidapet has not been in use for a while, and plans to demolish the building to make way for a new block for the Mother Teresa Women's University have been stalled. The centenary block of the Teacher Training College in Saidapet which now belongs to the Mother Teresa Womens University. According to an official of the Mother Teresa Womens University Research and Extension Centre, they acquired the building from the Teacher Training College, now called Institute of Advanced Studies in Education, in 1995. poorly maintained condition of this building which, along with several other structures in the Teacher Training College, Saidapet have been declared of Grade I heritage value. The Teacher Training College, which is one of the oldest teacher training institutes in Asia

This temple is located next to the Saidapet Railway station. This temple has a 7-storied Gopuram with two prakarams(closed precincts of a temple). The main deity is Lord Karaneeswara and Goddess Swarnaambikai. This temple has a beautiful tank. The temple is heavily crowded on Pradhosham days. Annual ten day Brahmotsavam takes place in the Tamil month of Chithirai. During Chitirai thirvizha, people visit the temple in huge numebrs and there will be a daily spiritual talk on Thiruvasagam about Lord shiva. On the "Shiv Rathri" occasion the temple is attractively decorated.

KARANESSWARAR TEMPLE

Aerial view of Maraimalai Adigal Bridge, previously known as Marmalong Bridge, across Adyar River in Saidapet.

Panagal Maaligai or Panagal Building, built upon the site of an older building of the same name functions as a Revenue Office and is so named after the Raja of Panagal. It's predecessor functioned as Chingleput District Collectorate

TEMPLES IN SAIDAPET
Sri Devi Ankgalamman Koil Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal kovil Kadumbaadi Chinnamman kovil Ilangaali Amman Kovil Anjaneyar temple Subramanya Swamy temple Soundareswarar temple Churches Little Mount Church Community Halls St. Thomas Community Hall IMPORTANT LANDMARKS: Saidapet railway station Panagal maligai Karaneeswarar temple Teacher training college