Introduction: Fort St. David played a significant role in the Coromandel trade and later developed into Madras. Let's explore the details of this transformation.

Fort St. David and the Coromandel Trade:
- Fort St. David was a British fort located in Tamil Nadu, India. It was established in 1680 near the town of Cuddalore.
- The fort was strategically located on the Coromandel Coast, making it a crucial center for trade between the British East India Company and the local merchants.
- The Coromandel Coast, also known as the Chennai Coast, was a region on the eastern coast of India that was rich in resources and attracted European traders.
- The Coromandel trade primarily involved the export of textiles, spices, indigo, and other goods from India to Europe, as well as the import of European products.
- Fort St. David served as a major trading post and a hub for the British East India Company's operations in the region.

Development into Madras:
- Over time, the British East India Company recognized the strategic importance of Fort St. David and decided to establish a more permanent settlement in the area.
- In 1639, a few kilometers north of Fort St. David, the British East India Company established a new fortified settlement called "Fort St. George."
- Fort St. George gradually grew in importance and became the headquarters of the British East India Company's operations in the Madras Presidency.
- The settlement around Fort St. George developed and expanded, attracting merchants, traders, and settlers from various parts of India and Europe.
- The British East India Company eventually named the settlement "Madras," derived from the Portuguese term "Madre de Deus" (Mother of God), referring to a church built by the Portuguese in the area.
- Madras became a prominent center of trade, administration, and culture in the region, and it played a crucial role in the British colonization of India.

Conclusion:
Fort St. David, initially established as a British fort on the Coromandel Coast, later developed into the significant settlement of Madras. This transformation was driven by the strategic importance of the area for the Coromandel trade and the subsequent growth and expansion of the British East India Company's operations. Madras went on to become a major center of trade and played a pivotal role in British colonial rule in India.