The East India Company receives a grant of no man's land from a local governor. On this piece of land, 7 kilometers north of San Thome, protected on three sides by water, a fortified factory is built. This is christened Fort St George (after the patron saint of England, on whose feast day the construction was completed - April 23rd, 1640).

The Fort becomes Britain's gateway to India. And its establishment marks the birth of the city we know today as Chennai.

The men responsible for the Fort's establishment - Francis Day, Andrew Cogan, Beri Thimmapa and Nagabaththan.

Triplicane, south of San Thome, is added to the main settlement.

The first organised hospital in the country starts at Fort St George. General Hospital, which moved to its present location in 1772, opened its doors to Indians in 1842.

Kaliamman Kameswarar temple at Thambu Chetty Street is built. Emperor Sivaji and the famous Tamil poet of 20th century, Subramania Bharathi worshipped at this shrine.

The Corporation of Madras is set up. This, the oldest municipal organisation in India, was the brainchild of Sir Josiah Child - the then Chairman of the East India Company.

Egmore and Purusawalkam, along the road to Poonamallee, are acquired.

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