Sadras

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This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS.

Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.

Sadras

Village in the District and tdhik of Chmgleput, Madras, situated on the coast m 12 31' N and 80 10' E., about 35 miles south of Madras city and connected with it by the Buckingham Canal Population (1901), 1,564.

Sadras became a trading settlement of the Dutch in 1647, and was long famous for the fine muslin produced by its looms. The Dutch erected, close to the shore, a brick fort of considerable extent and pretensions to strength, of which the nuns still stand. There are also the remains of the houses of the officials, one of which has long been in use as a halting-place for European travellers. The old Dutch cemetery within the fort, which contains curious and elaborate tombs, is maintained in order by Government. A Dutch church stands on the esplanade opposite the fort. A few weavers still live in the place, but the cunning which produced the once famous fabrics is forgotten. The rest of the inhabitants are cultivators, and the place is now only a sleepy little village. Sadras was taken by the English in 1795, but given back to the Dutch in 1818. It finally returned to British hands in 1825 along with the rest of the Dutch settlements in India.