**Madraspatnam** and **Chennapatnam** are the two historical names associated with what is now the city of Chennai, the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
### **Madraspatnam**
- **Origin**: Madraspatnam was a small fishing village along the Coromandel Coast in South India. In the early 17th century, it came to the attention of the British East India Company.
- **British Settlement**: In 1639, the British East India Company, led by Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, acquired a strip of land from the local Nayak rulers. This land, which included Madraspatnam, was chosen for establishing a fortified settlement due to its strategic location and safe anchorage for ships.
- **Fort St. George**: The British built Fort St. George in 1644 on the land acquired, and it became the nucleus around which the city of Madras (now Chennai) grew. Madraspatnam became one of the earliest British settlements in India.
### **Chennapatnam**
- **Alternative Name**: Chennapatnam was the name given to another settlement that developed around the same time as Madraspatnam. It is believed to have been named after Chennappa Nayak, the father of the local Nayak ruler who granted the land to the British. Some sources suggest it was named in honor of a local deity, Chennakesava Perumal.
- **Consolidation**: Over time, the two settlements—Madraspatnam and Chennapatnam—merged as they expanded. The combined area eventually came to be known as Madras or "Madrasapatnam," and later simply as "Madras."
### **Chennai**
- **Modern Name**: In 1996, the city officially changed its name from Madras to Chennai, reflecting the local Tamil heritage and historical name Chennapatnam.
- **Significance**: Today, Chennai is a major cultural, economic, and educational center in South India, known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and significant contributions to India's development.
### **Summary**
- **Madraspatnam**: The original British settlement established in 1639.
- **Chennapatnam**: A nearby town that developed alongside Madraspatnam, possibly named after a local leader or deity.
- **Chennai**: The modern name of the city, adopted in 1996, which combines the historical and cultural legacy of both Madraspatnam and Chennapatnam.
These two names represent the historical roots of Chennai, reflecting its colonial past and its transformation into a modern Indian metropolis.
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