Celebrations at Fort St.George in July 1717
Sautungudda(Satangadu) Cuttevauca(Kathivakkam) given in 1708 to East India Company were confirmed by a firman issued by Moghul Emperor Farrukhsiyar in July 1717. A celebration of the occassion in Fort St.George on 24th July 1717.
" The contents of the Farman were proclaimed in appropriate ceremonial. It was placed in the State palanqueen of Governor in the Inner Fort with the whole garrison under arms. On the arrival of the Governor the Farman was read in English by the Secretary and in Urdu and Telugu by Chief Dubash to the the assembled inhabitants.(No Tamil) Mr.Francis Hugonin Chief Gunner fired a salute of 151guns from St.Thomas Bastion after which it was taken up by the ships on Madras roads. The farman was then taken around the White Town by civic authorities with English Musick down Charles Street to St.Thomas Gate, then to Sea Gate and Middle Gate.It was then taken around Black Town with the Peddanaigue on horseback with all his Talliars and native music, a company of British soldiers, Chief Dubash mounted with the palanqueen of farman guarded by six soldiers. The procession moved northward by Middle gate left Black Town by 'Attapollam gate' reentered by Tom Clarkes Gate and proceeded to Bridge Foot gate the Farman proclaimed at each point by Chief Dubash. The Talliars stopped at Choultry gate and procession reentered White Town and gave the coveted document to Governor at Inner Fort. "
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