Madras City, founded in the mid-seventeenth century, was the earliest colonial port city established by the British in India. Like the other port cities of Asia, which were the creation of European powers, Madras functioned primarily as a base for overseas trade. However, by the middle of the century, Madras City, with its own hinterland, functioned as the capital for the whole of South India. The more the harbour grew, more the trade and prosperity returned, and for this reason the history of the Port is a vital part of the history of Madras and also the Presidency for more than three...