Chulia Street, George Town

Chulia Street has been part of Little India in George Town since 1786 when George Town was founded. That makes it one of the oldest streets in the city. From the earliest times it has been a community of Indian Muslim and Chinese cultures. The first Indian immigrants called it "Malabar Street" after the Indian Malabar coast.

The name "Chulia" stems from the old Chola Kingdom of India. Chulia was the common name for Indians of the coastal state of Tamil Nadu. Malabar Street marked the southern border of newly settled George Town. In 1798 the street was officially named Chulia Street as the British saw most of the people there were indeed from Tamil Nadu.

The population of Indian Muslims on Chulia Street declined in the late 19th century. They were being replaced by Chinese immigrants moving in. The upshot of all this movement is the cultural masala stew of Chulia Street today.