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Fort St. George, located on the banks of the Bay of Bengal & within the current city limits, was built as a trading post by the British East India Company in 1640 & is believed to be the first establishment of the British in India. In fact, the Fort played an important role in the expansion of British territory in India. Because it served as a home away from home for the officials of the Company, the fort was instrumental in the development of the city of Madras (Chennai). The modern Indian Army of today had its origins here & the fort still serves as an important army base. After Indian Independence, the fort was declared a protected monument. The current Fort Museum building, formerly the Madras Bank, was completed in 1795 & is one of the most striking buildings in the fort complex. The museum houses relics of the British East India Company including a large repository of arms and armaments. A lighthouse was built on top of the building in 1976.
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Asia
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