The Thomas Munro equestrian statue in Chennai, India, is a significant landmark and a tribute to Major-General Sir Thomas Munro, a popular British colonial administrator. Erected in 1839, the statue is notable for its artistic and historical importance, including the absence of stirrups on the horse, a feature that has sparked much discussion.
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| Thomas Munro equestrian statue with no stirrup. thehindu.com |
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| Memorial Sir.Thomas Munro, St. Mary's Church, Madras. wikiwand.com |
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| Sir. Thomas Munro's Statue, Madras ,en.wikipedia.org |
Sir Thomas Munro: A Brief Biography
Thomas Munro (1761–1827) was a Scottish soldier and colonial administrator who served the East India Company in India. He was highly regarded by the local population due to his administrative reforms and efforts to improve their welfare. As a young man, he joined the Madras Army and participated in the Anglo-Mysore Wars against Hyder Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan. His experience as a military officer and settlement officer in Canara and Bellary (in present-day Karnataka) shaped his administrative approach.
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| The Stirrup-less Majesty. Sir Thomas Munro. commons.wikimedia.org |
The Equestrian Statue: A Symbol of Respect
Following Munro's death, a public subscription was launched to fund a memorial statue in his honor. The esteemed British sculptor, Sir Francis Chantrey, was commissioned to create the statue, which was completed in 1834. It was shipped to India in three parts and assembled atop a granite plinth at The Island, Chennai, where it was unveiled on October 23, 1839.
The statue's most intriguing feature is the absence of stirrups. While this has been a subject of much debate, the most widely accepted explanation is that Chantrey deliberately omitted them to reflect Munro's passion for bareback riding. This artistic choice serves as a commemorative gesture, highlighting Munro's close relationship with the natives and his connection to local customs, rather than presenting him in a formal, authoritative pose.
The statue also depicts Munro riding an Arabian horse, not a traditional warhorse, which further underscores his peaceful and affable nature. Chantrey based the statue on his earlier work, the equestrian statue of King George IV in London, which also famously features the monarch without stirrups.
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| Sir. Thomas Munro alchetron.com |
Munro is credited with introducing the Ryotwari System in South India, a land revenue system that aimed to protect farmers from the exploitation of landlords and zamindars by allowing them to pay taxes directly to the government. He also played a key role in the decisive war against the Maratha Empire (1817-1818), which solidified British control over much of the Indian subcontinent. In 1820, he was appointed Governor of Madras, a position he held until his death from cholera in 1827. His contributions to native education and the division of districts and talukas, headed by a District Collector, earned him the nickname "Father of the People".He supported the participation of natives in the administration of India. Munro is the subject of a number of folk tales and ballads and is even worshiped by some. Folk tales and ballads hail Munro as the incarnation of Mandava Rishi by the Hindus. Peasants even now name children ‘Munrolappa.
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| Equestrian statue of King George IV, London.en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: Equestrian statue of King George IV, London.
Above images: Bronze Equestrian statue of King George IV at the Trafalgar square, London. The emperor without stirrups on the horse. Sculptor: Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey. Note the depiction of king George V in ancient Roman attire and riding bareback. Following the King's death in 1830. Cast in 1828, the statue was placed temporarily on an empty plinth in Trafalgar Square in December 1843, however it has remained there ever since.......
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| equestrian statue with no stirrup thehindu.com |
Above image: The statue also depicts Munro riding an Arabian horse, not a traditional warhorse, which further underscores his peaceful and affable nature. Chantrey based the statue on his earlier work, the equestrian statue of King George IV in London, which also famously features the monarch without stirrups.
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| British sculptor Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey.npg.org.uk |
The Thomas Munro statue is considered one of Chantrey's finest works. It is a testament to Munro's integrity, honesty, and immense popularity among the people of Madras Presidency. Even today, the statue remains a beloved landmark and a symbol of a British administrator who was admired and respected by the people he governed. A proposal to remove the statue in 2010 was withdrawn due to significant public protest, demonstrating its enduring historical and cultural importance.
Based om an old post April 07,2020 Navrungindia.blogspot.com