Madras Day – Chennai Celebrated every year on August 22

Madras Day – Chennai

• What? – Madras Day commemorates the founding of the modern city of Madras (present-day Chennai).

• When? – Celebrated every year on 22 August.

• Why 22 August? – It commemorates the 1639 land grant that enabled the English East India Company to establish its settlement. Chennai District’s official history confirms that land was granted to the English in 1639. 

• Who? – The early English settlement is associated with Francis Day and Andrew Cogan of the East India Company.

• Which historic fort followed? – Fort St. George, established for the East India Company’s commercial activities. 

• How did Chennai get its name? – The settlement around Fort St. George was called Chennapatanam, after Chennappa Nayak; the older Madraspatnam lay to its north. The settlements subsequently grew together.