Prospecting for a Settlement
History of the City of Madras
Chapter – 1
- Madras is the oldest among the Presidencies, with three centuries of steady growth.
- It was the first territorial acquisition by the English, except for the insignificant fort at Armagon, located north of Pulicat Lake.
- The first English factory on the east coast was at Masulipatam, a rich port in the Golconda kingdom, known for its diamonds, rubies, and chintz cloths.
- The English factory at Masulipatam faced rapid decline due to Dutch rivalry, Portuguese jealousy, and oppression by the Mussalman governor of the town.
- The English attempted a joint settlement with the Dutch at Pulicat in 1621, but it was unsuccessful and abandoned quickly.
- In 1626, the English established a factory at Armagon, 35 miles north of Pulicat, but it was a poor place for trade with inadequate supplies of calico cloth for European markets.
- The Armagon factory became significant only briefly, offering shelter during a time of anarchy and European rivalry.
- The condition of the Carnatic region was unstable, with internal conflict and famine in Masulipatam, which caused many weavers to die.