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Chennai - History
The older area called the Madraspatnam lay to the north of it. Later on, the intervening space between the older northern site of Madraspatnam came to be quickly built over with houses of the new settlers (as the two expanded) and that the two villages became virtually one town. While the official centre of the settlement was designated Fort St. George, the British applied the name Madras Patnam to the combined town. Golkonda forces under General Mir Jumla conquered Madras in 1646 and brought Chennai and its immediate surroundings under his control. On the fall of Golkonda in 1687, the region came under the rule of the Mughal Emperors of Delhi.
Firmans were issued by the Mughal Emperor granting the rights of English company in Chennai. In the later part of the seventeenth century, Chennai steadily progressed during the period of Agency and under many Governors. During the regime of Governor Elihi Yale (1687-92),the most important event was the formation of the institution of a mayor and Corporation for the city of Chennai. In 1693, a perwanna was received from the local Nawab granting the towns Tondiarpet, Purasawalkam and Egmore to the company. Thomas Pitt became the Governor of Chennai in 1698 and governed for eleven years. This period witnessed remarkable development of trade and increase in wealth.
The East India Company receives a grant of no man's land from a local governor. On this piece of land, 7 kilometers north of San Thome, protected on three sides by water, a fortified factory is built. This is christened Fort St George (after the patron saint of England, on whose feast day the construction was completed - April 23rd, 1640). The Fort becomes Britain's gateway to India. And its establishment marks the birth of the city we know today as Chennai. The men responsible for the Fort's establishment - Francis Day, Andrew Cogan, Beri Thimmapa and Nagabaththan. Triplicane, south of San Thome, is added to the main settlement.
The first organised hospital in the country starts at Fort St George. General Hospital, which moved to its present location in 1772, opened its doors to Indians in 1842. Kaliamman Kameswarar temple at Thambu Chetty Street is built. Emperor Sivaji and the famous Tamil poet of 20th century, Subramania Bharathi worshipped at this shrine.The Corporation of Madras is set up. This, the oldest municipal organisation in India, was the brainchild of Sir Josiah Child - the then Chairman of the East India Company. Egmore and Purusawalkam, along the road to Poonamallee, are acquired.
Chennai - History
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