Photograph of Government House and Banqueting Hall in Chennai, formerly Madras in India. Two large white buildings stand side by side; Government House stands on the left and the Banqueting Hall, featuring neo-classical architectural features, on the right. In the foreground are stakes placed at regular intervals on an open area of grassland from which ropes are attached. Having once been the home of a Portuguese merchant, Government House was purchased by the East India Company in 1753. It was home to the Governors of Madras until India gained Independence in 1947. The Banqueting Hall was designed by John Goldingham for the East India Company to host receptions.