Chennai under East India Company was turned into a major center for trade and commerce. The area of the present Chennai city was discovered by Francis Day, one of the officers of the East India Company. On behalf of the company he made a deal with the Nayak of Vijayanagar, Damarla Venkatadri Nayakudu on a piece of land along the Coromandel Coast. By 18th century the place was turned into the largest naval base of East India Company.
British East India Company arrived in Chennai during 17th century. The Britishers found the coast of Madras to be one of the most lucrative locations for investing in multiple trades. To shape up the purpose they required a perfect location. In search of a location, they came across the village of Armagon in 1626. The village was located 35 miles away from the North of Pulikat. The British Government planned to export the local Calico Cloth to various parts of Europe. But, the quality of the cloth was not up to the mark. Realizing the fact, Company decided to set up a factory somewhere near to the coast, which would be a prospective trading hub for them in future.
In search of a suitable location, one of the officers of the East India Company made a voyage down the coast. His name was Francis Day. While exploring through the coast of India, he came across an area near the Coromandel Coast. He liked the place very much and decided to establish the factory in that location. The plan of establishing the factory in that location was pending to be executed as it required the permission of the local rulers of Madras Patnam.
During that period, the ruler of Madras was Peda Venkata Raya. He was one of the descendants of the Vijayanagara rulers. According to the system of the period, all the districts of the area were ruled by respective local governors. The governor was called as the ‘Nayak’.In that time the Nayak of Vijayanagar was Damarla Venkatadri Nayakudu. His brother Ayyappa Nayakudu was a close friend of Beri Thimmappa dubash, the interpreter of Francis Day. Ayyappa Nayakudu convinced his brother to lease out the piece of land to the Company in return of trade profits,
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Persian horses and the Army protection.Finally on 22nd August of 1639, Francis Day signed an agreement with the local ruler and leased the chosen land. At that time, the place was inhabited by the local fishermen. The total area of the location was expanded up to 3 miles along the coast. The village was called ‘Madraspatnam’.
In 20th February of 1640, Francis Day with 20 European soldiers arrived in Madras Patnam. In the same year the construction of the Fort St.George began.
The plan of transforming the place into a primary business center was executed by Francis Day, Beri Thimmanna Chetti and Andrew Cogan. Thus, they are recognized as the real founders of the Chennai city.
Significant historical events in Chennai under East India Company
- 1639-Madras founded
- 1640-Francis Day and Cogan landed in Madras to establish Fort St.George
- 1678-St. Mary’s Church in Fort St. George was founded
- 1688-Madras City Municipal Corporation was inaugurated
During the British reign in Chennai, the city was often attacked by the French rulers. In 1746, the area of Madras Patnam was captured by the French rulers. They ruled the region for a few years. In 1749 the British Empire once again gained back their rights over the region. Again in 1759 Madras Patnam was attacked by the French leaded by Thomas Arthur and Hyder Ali, the Sultan of Mysore. But British Empire was far stronger than the oppositions and won the fight.
During the reigns of the British rulers the boundary of Madras Patnam was expanded including a number of neighboring villages. The villages were Egmore, Chetput, Purasawalkam and Triplicane. By 18th century, Madras was turned into a major naval base and administrative center for the British Empire.
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