Madras Founding Day: August 22, 1639

The Land Grant of 1639

On August 22, 1639, a significant agreement was signed between Francis Day, a representative of the British East India Company, and Damarla Venkatadri Nayak, Chandragiri King and the local chieftain of the Vijayanagara Empire. This agreement granted the British a strip of land along the Coromandel Coast, which would eventually become the bustling metropolis of Madras. This land grant was pivotal as it marked the beginning of British influence in Southern India and laid the groundwork for the establishment of Fort St. George, the first major English settlement in India.

The Birth of a City

The establishment of Madras was not just a political maneuver but also a strategic one. The location was chosen for its proximity to the sea, which facilitated trade and commerce. Over the years, Madras grew from a small trading post into a major urban center, attracting merchants, artisans, and settlers from various parts of the world. The city's growth was fueled by its strategic importance and the establishment of institutions that would shape its future.

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