T. Namberumal Chetty facts for kids

Victoria Public Hall is one of the many important buildings Chetty helped build in Chennai.

Thaticonda Namberumal Chetty (born around 1856 – died December 3, 1925) was a very important Indian builder and businessman. He was also an engineer and a contractor. He built many famous public buildings in the city of Madras (which is now called Chennai). He worked in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Building a City: Chetty's Work

Namberumal Chetty was born in Madras (now Chennai) in 1856. He started his building business in 1880. He became known for constructing many large and beautiful buildings.

Famous Buildings He Built

During his career, Chetty built several well-known places. These include the Government Museum, Chennai, which is a museum for everyone to visit. He also built the Victoria Technical Institute and the YMCA.

Other important buildings he constructed were the Madras Law College and the Connemara Library. He also built the Bank of Madras and the Victoria Memorial Hall. Many of these buildings were made with special red bricks. Chetty owned the factories (called kilns) where these bricks were made!

Chetty's Other Businesses

Besides building, Namberumal Chetty was also a successful merchant. He imported wood from places like Rangoon and Moulmein. He was in charge of a company called Trichur Timber and Saw Mills Ltd. This company sent wood to many different cities and countries. They sent wood to places like Bombay, Calcutta, Colombo, London, and even New York!

Chetty's Own Railway

Namberumal Chetty also owned a small railway line. It was called the Trivellore Light Railway. This small train line helped connect people and goods to the bigger Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway. It was like a feeder line, bringing things to the main railway.

Awards and Legacy

Namberumal Chetty received several special titles for his hard work. In 1901, he was given the title "Rao Sahib". Later, he became "Rao Bahadur," and in 1923, he received the high honor of "Diwan Bahadur."

A Proud Legacy

Sir Arthur Havelock, who was the governor of Madras, spoke about Chetty in 1900. He said that Chetty's name would be remembered in Madras. He noted that Chetty built many beautiful buildings. The governor said it would be a proud memory for Chetty and his family.

Namberumal Chetty was also the first Indian person in Madras to own a car! This showed how successful and modern he was for his time.