Damarla Chennapa Nayaka

Damarla Chennapa Nayaka[a] was a Nayaka ruler of Kalahasti and Vandavasi under the suzerainty of Vijayanagar emperor Venkatapati Raya (r. 1585–1614). He was also the Dalavoy or the Commander-in-Chief of the emperor.[1][2]

The city of Chennai (originally called "Chennapatam") was founded by his sons, Venkatappa and Ayyappa, and named after Chennapa Nayaka. It was established in order to separate the warring Europeans within the region, the Dutch based at Pulicat and the Portuguese based at Mylapore. Later the British establishment at Madras (Fort St. George) was set up to the south of Chennapatam.[3][b]


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  1. ^ Dr. Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar (2005). History of Gingee and its Rulers. The Annamalai University. pp. 132. ISBN 978-1-135-95970-8.
  2. ^ Vēṅkaṭācalapati, Ā Irā; Aravindan, Ramu (1 January 2006). Chennai Not Madras: Perspectives on the City. Marg Publications. ISBN 9788185026749.
  3. ^ Aiyangar, S. Krishnaswami (1994) [first published 1939 by Oxford University Press], "The Character and Significance of the Foundation of Madras", in Madras Tercentenary Celebration Committee (ed.), The Madras Tercentenary Commemoration Volume, Asian Educational Services, pp. 39–50, ISBN 978-81-206-0537-4