Friday, July 8 2005 13:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: A cellar believed to have been used by the Madras Bank, formed by the Britishers for storing cash and gold, has been unearthed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the famous St.George Fort, here

The Madras Bank later merged with the Bombay Bank and Bengal Bank to form the Imperial Bank, which came to be called the State Bank of India.

The 10 x 8 feet chamber, constructed 200 years back and lying below the museum at the Fort was found when the ASI was undertaking regular conservation work three days ago, Superintending Engineer Satyamurthy told

"During the conservation work carried out by the ASI to study the seepage of water from beneath the surface in the rooms located on the southern side of the first floor, a small underground cellar was accidentally noticed in Gally two. It was later on closed using the Madras type roof pattern to lay the floor. For further strength, iron flats were provided beneath the wooden floor," he said.

The walls of the cellar were finely plastered with masonry, he said adding the cellar was empty and there were no antiques, he said.

The cellar, believed to be used as cash and gold storeroom. The chest would be an added attraction to the museum in the Fort which already possesses priceless documents like the marriage registration certificate of Robbert Clive, that time Governor of the Madras presidency.

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