Lingappa Naik's Demands
In August 1678 Lingappa Naik, the Naik of Poonamallee, demanded a large sum of money from the EIC. The company's merchant, Kasi Veeranna (Casa Verona), declined and sent him a harsh reply. A month later, when Lingappa visited Kasi Veeranna to express his condolences on the death of the former's wife, he asked the latter the reason why the Agent had not sent anyone to receive. To this Kasi Veeranna delivered an extremely arrogant reply which left the Naik fuming with anger.
When Kasi Veeranna died in 1680, Lingappa sent a Havildar named Shakeel Ahmed to take over the settlement of Madras from the company. He was promptly arrested by the company's troops and dispatched across the frontier. Following this act by the English, Lingappa blockaded Madras and prevented goods and supplies from entering the settlement. He demanded that the English agree to pay him an annual tribute of 2,000 pagodas in order to lift the embargo. At one point of time, the situation became so serious that the Directors of the Council even contemplated the thought of moving the company's factory to Gingee. Neither food nor fuel could be obtained, and the inhabitants starved.
On 9 April 1681 Lieutenant Richardson was sent with fifty of the company's troops to Gingee. Richardson reached the village of Khandur and besieged the town. At about midnight, Richardson took the town and drove away the Polygar. The required amount of provisions were obtained and transported back to Madras.
On 3 July 1681 Streynsham Master was replaced with William Gyfford as the Agent of Madras.
