Madras Street

Madras Street honours the Tamil settlers. Chennai, formerly known as Madras, was their place of origin. In the 1850s, Tamils from the Madras region of Tamil Nadu arrived in Singapore seeking work. A significant number made their homes on Madras Street, where they were engaged in various activities including brickwork, animal husbandry, milk distribution, and construction work.

Among those who moved to Madras Street were Indian prisoners from the Madras region, estimated to be around 1,500 in Singapore by 1847. These prisoners played a significant role in the construction industry, contributing to buildings such as Saint Andrew's Church.

In the 1950s, Madras Street featured a flea market. A wet market also functioned there. Today, it boasts of vegetable and grocery stores, as well as restaurants. Even now, it functions as a focal point for migrants from Tamilnadu, as they often gather there in large numbers, especially on weekends.



For more information
R Savage, Victor, and S A Yeoh, Brenda. Singapore Street Names - A Study of Toponymics. 4th ed. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2022

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The information in this article is valid as of August 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit here.