History of Chennai he funded new Indian enterprises and broke into the previously closed ranks of the British financial system. The bank still has its corporate headquarters in the city. During World War I, Madras (Chennai) was shelled by the German light cruiser SMS "Emden", resulting in 5 civilian deaths and 26 wounded. The crew of a merchant ship also destroyed by the Germans that night. After India became independent in 1947, the city became the administrative and legislative capital of Madras State which was renamed as Tamil Nadu in 1968. During the reorganisation of states in India on linguistic lines, in 1953,
Architecture of Tamil Nadu Architecture of Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu architecture that emerged thousands of years ago. The Pallavas ruled from AD (600–900) and their greatest constructed accomplishments are the single rock temples in Mahabalipuram and their capital Kanchipuram, now located in Tamil Nadu. Pallavas were pioneers of south Indian architecture. The greatest accomplishments of the Pallava architecture are the rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram. There are excavated pillared halls and monolithic shrines known as rathas in Mahabalipuram. Mention must be made here of the Shore Temple constructed by Narasimhavarman II near Mahabalipuram which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Chola kings ruled from