The term "East Indies" was a historical geographical designation used by Europeans to refer to the regions of Asia that are now part of modern-day India, Southeast Asia, and the Indonesian archipelago. Britain classified India as part of the East Indies because, during the 16th and 17th centuries, European powers, including Britain, used the term to describe the vast area in Asia that was a major source of valuable spices, textiles, and other luxury goods sought after in Europe.
This region was considered "the East" in contrast to the "West" and included the Indian subcontinent, the Malay Archipelago, and parts of the Pacific.
The British East India Company established its presence in South India by acquiring land in Madraspatnam, a village on the Coromandel Coast, on August 22, 1639.
This acquisition was facilitated by the local Nayak ruler, Damarla Venkatadri Nayaka, who granted the Company a piece of land, which was described as a wasteland, for a lease of 600 pounds annually.
The Company used this land to build Fort St. George, which became the foundation of the city and the first fortified British settlement in India.
The fort was constructed to protect the Company’s trading interests, particularly in cotton textiles, which were in high demand for export to Persia and the East Indies
The settlement, initially known as Madras, grew rapidly and became the headquarters of the East India Company in South India by 1641.
The city developed around Fort St. George, with the British living in the area known as "White Town" and the local Indian population residing in "Black Town".
Over time, Madras expanded significantly, and by the 18th century, it had become a major administrative and commercial center for British India.
The city was officially renamed Chennai in 1996, following the state's name change from Madras to Tamil Nadu.
The strategic location of Madras on the Bay of Bengal made it a key hub in British maritime trade networks, and it was frequently targeted during conflicts with rival European powers, including the French, who captured the city between 1746 and 1748.
Despite these challenges, the fort and the city endured and continued to serve as a vital center for British imperial trade and administration in South India.
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1727 report
