Chennai, formerly known as Madras, stands as the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. Positioned on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, it serves as the state’s primary city. According to the 2011 Indian census, Chennai ranks as the sixth-most populous city in India and forms the fourth-most populous urban agglomeration. Established in 1866, the Greater Chennai Corporation holds the distinction of being the oldest municipal corporation in India and the second oldest globally after London.

Historically, the region was integral to the Chola, Pandya, Pallava, and Vijayanagara kingdoms during various periods. The British East India Company acquired the coastal land, which included the fishing village Madrasapattinam, from the Nayak ruler Chennapa Nayaka in the 17th century. The British garrison founded Madras city, established the port, and constructed Fort St. George—the first British fortress in India.

This development marked the city as the winter capital of the Madras Presidency, a colonial province of the British Raj in the Indian subcontinent. Post-Independence in 1947, Madras retained its status as the capital city of the Madras State, now known as Tamil Nadu. The official renaming to Chennai occurred in 1996.

Chennai aligns with Chennai district, encompassing the Chennai Metropolitan Area and ranking as the 35th-largest urban area globally by population. It boasts one of India’s largest metropolitan economies and holds the fifth-largest urban economy, with the third-largest expatriate population in the country. Serving as a gateway to South India, Chennai is a popular destination, ranking 36th among the most-visited cities globally in 2019. Recognized as a beta-level city in the Global Cities Index, Chennai consistently features among the best cities to live in India and is noted for its safety.

Chennai has emerged as a significant hub for medical tourism, earning the title “India’s health capital.” It plays a pivotal role in India’s automobile industry, earning the moniker “Detroit of India.” The city gained distinction as the sole South Asian city among National Geographic’s “Top 10 food cities” in 2015 and secured the ninth position on Lonely Planet’s list of the best cosmopolitan cities globally. In October 2017, Chennai joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). It stands as a major center for film production and serves as the home of the Tamil-language film industry.