Chennai History – From the Kingdom of Chola Family to Independence!

Chennai was known as Madraspatnam, and the original name of Madras was PuliyurKottam. The capital city was located in the province of Tondaimandalam. This area came between the Pennar river of Nellore and the Pennar river of Cuddalore. The capital of the province of Tondaimandalam was Kancheepuram. It is believed that the city got its name Madras from a fisherman name Madrasan.

Going long back to the 2nd century, Tondaimandalam was ruled by TondaimanIlamTiraiyan, the one from the Chola family. The legends also say that IlamTiraiyan got the rule over the region by pacifying the Kurumbas, the region's original inhabitants. Succeeding the generation, Chola Prince IlamKilli was known as the ruler of the region. Later the Chola occupation was terminated by the invasion of the Tondaimandalam on the order of their King Pulumayi II.

The Chola Supremacy was put to an end by the Pandyas, who rose powerful and got their authority in 1264 A. D. They lasted there for more than half a century, followed by the Bahmini kingdom. In 1361, Kumara Kampana II, Vijayanagar King, Bukka I conquered the region and established the Vijayanagar rule in Tondaimandalam. The rulers of Vijayanagar then appointed Nayaks to manage the region, and hence the Nayaks ruled the regions almost independently.

The pages of history turned and made more significant changes to the existing settings of Chennai. When the Portuguese arrived in 1522, they built a port as São Tomé. Later, Dutch entered the records and established themselves near Pulicat in 1612.

This was the time of the East India Company whose representatives Francis Day and Andrew Cogan began licensed trading at Surat. They were sent to find a suitable piece of land for a factory and warehouse to advance the trading activities.

On August 22, 1639, both representatives Day and Cogan got the land in the village Madrasapatnam, now known as Chennai.

Going further, in 1646, Golkonda forces under General Mir Jumla conquered Madras and took control of it and the surroundings. The fort was named Fort St. George and was completed on April 23, 1653.

The Golkonda faced the downfall in 1687, and the region was then controlled and ruled by the Mughal Emperors of Delhi.

During their rule, Mughal Emperors grant the right to an English company in Chennai. Chennai, as a result, was governed under many governors. In the sovereignty of Governor Elihi Yale (1687-92), some major events took place, such as the formation of the institution of a mayor and Corporation for the city.

Later in 1698, Thomas Pitt became the Governor of Chennai; this was also when the city witnessed more growth and development in terms of trade and wealth under the shadow of the Fort St. George.

Initially, the fort was used for a small trade post. Soon it was built into something grand that became the residence of both English and Europeans. Several workers and locals also stayed within the forts' walls, and the iconic structure was always a great support.

Chennai supported as a significant Naval base, and the position of the English got stronger. This brought stability to the overall scenario, and a clearer path to commercial development was created.

In the 18th century, the fort became an important trade center between India and Europe. The trading remained the same until the country found independence in August 1947.

After the freedom, Madraspatnam, which was later changed to Chennapatnam, became Chennai, and the capital city of Tamil Nadu. The state was previously known as Madras State, also got its name changed to Tamil Naduafter independence.

As can be seen, the Pallava, the Chola, the Pandya, and Vijaynagar were the prime families as a part of Chennai's history. The Fort St. George was also a significant part of Chennai that changed the city's overall growth and status; the prints of British ruling, however, can still be felt in the city. The fort museum still comprises some rarest artifacts that depict the British Past.

The coinage, weaponry, and uniforms are some objects that date back to the colonial period. Get Daily Rahu Kalam Chennai from Astropedia