The Governorship of Streynsham Master and W. Gifford (1678-87)
History of the city of Madras
Chapter – 7
- Langhorne left Madras in January 1678, succeeded by Mr. Streynsham Master.
- Master played a key role in the early history of Madras (1678-81) and developed the Company’s trade system.
- He served as the chief representative of the Company in the Bay of Bengal from 1676-1681 and was sent to India at age 16. He lived in Surat and improved the book-keeping methods there.
- In 1675, Master was tasked with bringing order to the Company’s factories in the Coromandel Coast and the Bay of Bengal, and to succeed Langhorne as Agent.
- He kept a Diary documenting his activities and served as Governor until July 1681 when he was dismissed by Sir Josiah Child for not complying with his demands.
- Master’s rule saw the introduction of regulations for better administration of justice and the sober conduct of civil servants.
- He enforced the Company’s 1667 regulations for Christian and sober comportment in the service and set rules for the dispatch of public business.
- Council meetings were held at 8 AM every Monday and Thursday; the Second Member of Council was the Book-Keeper, the Third was the Warehouse-Keeper, and the Fourth was the Judge at the Choultry Court.