A courthouse so large it houses its own lighthouse

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Ranking among the world's most expansive judicial sites, this courthouse features an integrated lighthouse due to its harbor proximity. Its storied history includes Indo-Saracenic architectural grandeur, damage from a German cruiser during World War I, and a legal legacy that predates modern India while maintaining its original name.

Established by Letters Patent from the British Crown on June 26, 1862, the Madras High Court replaced the Supreme Court of Madras. It is one of India's oldest high courts, exercising appellate jurisdiction over Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry. While the city of Madras was renamed Chennai in 1996, the court has retained its original name despite a 2017 legislative resolution to change it. The court's physical presence is a feat of Indo-Saracenic architecture designed by J. W. Brassington and later expanded by Henry Irwin. Construction on the primary complex in Chennai began in October 1888. Originally estimated at ₹0.95 million, the final cost soared to ₹12.98 million by its inauguration on July 12, 1892. A unique feature of this site is a lighthouse raised to 175 feet during construction because of its proximity to the Chennai harbour. The building has survived significant historical upheaval, including damage from the German light cruiser SMS Emden during World War I on September 22, 1914. Today, the court maintains a sanctioned strength of 75 judges and operates with a dedicated bench in Madurai, established in July 2004 to handle cases for fourteen specific districts.

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mood-reflective The court complex serves as a hub for various specialized legal bodies including industrial tribunals and transport appellate tribunals. It also oversees the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy, which was founded in April 2001 to train judicial officers. Furthermore, it remains the home of India's oldest law journal, first launched in 1891.

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