The statue of Thomas Munro 
Chennai

Why was Munro’s statue called Stirrupless Majesty?

The statue of Munro which is popularly referred to as ‘The Stirrupless Majesty’ is an equestrian statue of Thomas Munro, the first Baronet, Scottish army commander and Governor of Madras from 1820 to 1827.

migrator

Chennai

The bronze statue was sculpted by Francis Chantrey from the United Kingdom in 1834 and later shipped to Madras in 1839. Being one of the popular landmarks of Chennai, what makes this statue peculiar is the absence of stirrups. The 173-year-old figure is the oldest standing idol in Chennai. 

Legend has it that the sculptor Sir Francis Chantrey, upon realising that he had created the equestrian statue sans saddle or stirrups, committed suicide out of guilt. However, a few others believe that Chantrey died of a heart disease.

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