1626

When the East India Company was looking to increase their influence in mainland India, they identified Armagon at Durgarayapatnam, located to the north of Pulicat, as an ideal location. The name Armagon comes from its estate ruler Arumugha Mudaliyar and with his blessings, the British built a factory there. The factory was crucial to gain a stronger control over the trade routes around the Coromandel coast for the British. It became the first fortified possession of the East India Company in India.

1637

Francis Day, an eminent officer of The East India Company went on a voyage of exploration from Madras, along the coast till Pondicherry in search for a place to establish a British settlement. They were looking for a place which had the availability of textile for exports, the facilities of a reasonable port and a supportive local ruler who will not upset their plans. The future site of Fort St. George was earmarked by Francis Day. It was almost a small island lying in the middle of the two branches of a river with a proximity to the famous port of Mylapore (known as Mylarpha by foreign traders). The land belonged to a Nayak ruler. Soon negotiations with him started to procure the piece of coastal land.

1639

In 1639, the British succeeded in purchasing the strip of land from the Nayak rulers of the region. Damarla Venkatappa, was the Nayak of Kalahasti and controlled the port between Pulicat and San Thome. This purchase by the British was their first territorial possession in India. Christened as Fort St. George, in dedication to the patron saint of England, it was completed by 1644 at a cost of approximately 3000 pounds.

1639

In 1639, the British succeeded in purchasing the strip of land from the Nayak rulers of the region. Damarla Venkatappa was the Nayak of Kalahasti and controlled the port between Pulicat and San Thome. This purchase by the British was their first territorial possession in India. Christened Fort St. George, in memory of the patron saint of England, it was completed by 1644 at a cost of approximately 3000 pounds.

1664

First British hospital in the country is started in Fort St. George (16 November); later becomes the Government General Hospital.

1711

The earliest reports of the printing press go way back to 1556 when Portuguese Jesuits printed and disseminated religious literature. The Portuguese-influenced printing faded out with the lessening of its religious zeal. Then, Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg founded the Tranquebar Mission Press in 1713 and printing came back into prominence again in South India. The Tranquebar Mission Press also played a key role in spreading the gospel. The press, which was seized by the British government was released into the care and management of the Tranquebar Mission at Vepery, Madras. It is the oldest known surviving press in India today.

1726

Coja Petrus Uscan, an Armenian merchant, migrated to Madras in the year 1723. He was a leading figure in the community and was known for his loyalties to the British during the French occupation of Madras. He financed the construction of the 134 stone steps at St. Thomas Mount which lead to the shrine atop the little hill. He also donated 1500 pagodas for its upkeep. Devotees take the journey through the 134 granite steps of the church even today as an act of penance and sacrifice.-

1785

In 1785, John Philip Burlton, a civilian, submitted a 10-point plan proposing the institution of a General Post Office (GPO) in Madras. His contention to the Governorship was that the East India Company or its public should not bear the cost of transporting the communiques of the company officials. His suggestion was accepted, and a post office was established in Fort Saint George on 1st June 1786. The building currently is currently home to the Chennai GPO of the Indian Postal Service.

1760 - 1792

The anglo-mysore wars

1840

Madras Presidency College was established.

1841

Ice House was constructed as a storehouse for ice which was being imported from the Tudor Ice Company in the United States by Fredric Tudor. With the invention of ice-making in India, the Tudor's Indian business collapsed, and he sold the Ice House to Biligiri Iyengar. Iyengar found it hard to convert it into a residential home due to its insulated construction which created ventilation issues. However, it found prominence as a guest house with eminent visitors like Swami Vivekananda who delivered legendary speeches from there. The Ice House today belongs to the Government of India and has been officially renamed as Vivekanandar Illam.

1842

First lighthouse is built.

1910

A small Parsi community found its niche in Madras between 1795-1809 and settled around Royapuram. In 1910, Phiroj Muncherji Clubwala built the Royapuram fire temple and consecrated it as the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-E-Meher. The sacred fire which is lit in the temple at Royapuram has never been extinguished and stayed lit even during the German bombing of Madras during World War II.

1931

Suburban electric train services start

1947

Marking Independence from British rule, the Indian National flag was proudly hoisted at Fort St. George, Madras on August 15, 1947. The 12ft by 8ft pure silk flag was hoisted after lowering the British Union Jack at 5.05 AM, an act that was witnessed by thousands of people. With the declaration of independence, the Presidency of Madras became the Madras Province. Madras was later declared the administrative and legislative capital of Madras State which was renamed as Tamil Nadu in 1968.