Madras (Chennai), the oldest municipal body outside Great Britain

Question

Founded on 22 August 1639, Madras (Chennai), the oldest municipal body outside Great Britain.

Answer 1

Very interesting!

But I don't understand "the oldest municipal body outside Great Britain."

Nuremberg became a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire in 1215, for example, the same year the Magna Carta was signed in Britain.

Oh, and at 1:55 of the third clip, what is the woman carrying on her head?

Answer 2

But it is not called Municipal such as with a Mayor? 

Answer 3

The Corporation of Madras is the oldest municipal body of the Commonwealth of Nations outside Great Britain.

I forgot to mention, the Commonwealth of Nations.

The "free imperial city" was not part of the Commonwealth, I guess.

Answer 4

At 1:55, it looks like a lunchbox, metal food carrier. 

Answer 5

Well, in the days of the free imperial city, the "mayor" would have been a local nobleman, assisted by a city council of nobles, certainly not elected by popular suffrage.  

Answer 6

She has remarkable balance!

I couldn't do that without holding the lunchbox.