Madraspatam and Chennapatnam – Their Probable Origin and Extent
Chapter – 4
- The term “Srirangarayapatnam” introduced confusion regarding the origins of the names Madraspatnam and Chennapatnam.
- A common view, originating from Walter Hamilton’s account (1820), suggested that when Madras was founded, Sriranga Raya wanted the settlement named Srirangarayapatnam, but the local Nayak insisted on calling it Chennapatnam after his father, Chennappa.
- However, Sriranga Raya ascended the throne only in 1642, three years after the foundation of Madras in 1639, which was not known to Hamilton.
- Sriranga Raya’s grant of the name Srirangarayapatnam was likely a mark of royal favor to the English settlers in Madras.
- At the time of the grant, Damarla Venkatapathi Nayak, son of Chennappa, was in disgrace, which might have influenced Sriranga to change the name from Chennappapatnam to Srirangarayapatnam.