Madras, now known as Chennai, has always had a strong connection with technology and industry. The city has changed greatly over the years, and many of these changes were driven by new tools, skills, and technologies.
Recently, while preparing for Madras Week, Rajiv Kripalani from ChennaiLive 104.8 FM invited me to take part in a podcast. I expected the discussion to focus on the city’s heritage, history, and place names. Instead, he surprised me by asking about artificial intelligence, a subject I know very little about.
The conversation eventually moved toward a broader question: How has technology helped shape Madras?
Technology can be understood as the knowledge, skills, tools, and methods people use to make work easier and improve different industries. Madras has experienced several important technological changes throughout its history.
Weaving Was an Early Industry
One of the early industries that helped Madras grow was weaving. Textile production attracted traders and colonial interests to the region. As the weaving industry expanded, several areas became closely connected with textile production and related activities.
Places such as Chintadripet, Colletpet (now Kaladipettai), Saidapet, Mylapore, and Mambalam developed as important areas connected with weaving and other traditional industries.
The growth of weaving created jobs and encouraged trade. It also helped different parts of the city develop around industrial and commercial activities.
Printing Became Important
As the city developed, other technologies began to play an important role. One major change came with the growth of printing.
Mint Street became closely associated with printing, with many printing presses operating in the area. The street became an important centre for printing-related work and businesses.
Printing technology played an important role in the growth of newspapers, books, magazines, advertisements, and other forms of communication. Even today, Mint Street is remembered for its connection with the city’s printing history.
A City Built Through Innovation
The technological history of Madras is not limited to modern computers or artificial intelligence. The city’s development can be traced through several different technologies and industries.
Weaving helped build early industrial activity. Minting and related commercial activities added another layer to the city’s economic development. Printing later became an important part of communication and business.
Each period introduced new skills, tools, and industries. These changes helped Madras expand from an important trading settlement into a major industrial and commercial city.
Today, Chennai is known for automobiles, manufacturing, information technology, electronics, healthcare, and many other modern industries. The city’s connection with technology therefore has a long history.
From weaving and printing to today’s digital technology and artificial intelligence, Madras has continued to change with the times. Its history shows that technology has always been an important part of the city’s growth and identity.