From whom did the English obtain the lease of Madras in 1639 A.D.?a)Th...
The English obtained the lease of Madras in 1639 A.D. from the ruler of Chandragiri. This event marked the beginning of British presence in India.
Background:
Before the English obtained the lease of Madras, they had established trading posts in Surat, Calicut, and Masulipatnam. However, they were looking for a strategic location on the east coast of India that would allow them to compete with the Dutch and the Portuguese.
Obtaining the lease of Madras:
In 1639, the English East India Company obtained a lease of a small strip of land near the village of Madraspatnam from the Vijayanagara Empire, which ruled the region. The lease was granted by the Vijayanagara Empire's viceroy, who was based in Chandragiri.
Significance of the lease:
The lease of Madras was significant for several reasons:
1. It gave the English a strategic location on the east coast of India, which allowed them to control the Coromandel Coast and compete with the Dutch and the Portuguese.
2. It provided the English with a base for their military and commercial activities in the region.
3. It marked the beginning of British presence in India, which would eventually lead to their colonial rule over the country.
Conclusion:
The English obtained the lease of Madras in 1639 A.D. from the ruler of Chandragiri, which marked the beginning of British presence in India. The lease was significant for its strategic location, which allowed the English to compete with other European powers and establish their colonial rule over India.