Aaron Baker
Encyclopedia
Aaron Eli Baker was an English colonial
agent of the Honourable East India Company
, holding Presidency positions in Bantam
and Madras in the 1640s and 1650s. Baker made a fortune in the East India trade.
was created in the year 1652. He served as President from 1652 to 1655.
In 1652-53, caste conflicts arose between "left-hand" and "right-hand castes" which was settled by the English, who reserved the eastern half of the Indian quarter for the "left-hand" castes and the western half of the quarter for the "right-hand" castes.
During this period, the area around Madras was in great turmoil due to the rebellion of Mir Jumla against his overlord in Golconda
. During this time, Bala Rao, the chief of Poonamallee raised the customs duties on English goods, thereby causing a drastic increase in the price of goods. Madras was besieged by Bala Rao and his colleague, Tupaki Krishnappa Naick. This blockade and the economic boycott of English trade by Bala Rao forced the English to reduce Fort St George from a Presidency to an Agency when Baker's term came to an end.
Baker's wife, Elizabeth Baker, has the dubious distinction of having the oldest English tombstone in India. She died in 1652 in childbirth at sea when on her way to join her husband in Madras.
Private trade was allowed while holding Presidency positions but had at first been frowned upon; both Aaron Baker and Sir Edward Winter were ultimately dismissed for it.
, Devon
, England, with the fortunes he earned. In 1669 he rebuilt the chancel aisle of St. Michael's church in Dunchideock, where is a monument to his memory.
On 25 July 1672 Mr. Aaron Baker of Exminster and Mrs Mary Rowe of the parish of Ayston were married.
Baker died in 1683 and is buried in St. Michael, Dunchideock.
English colonial empire
The English colonial empire consisted of a variety of overseas territories colonized, conquered, or otherwise acquired by the former Kingdom of England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries....
agent of the Honourable East India Company
East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
, holding Presidency positions in Bantam
Bantam (city)
Bantam in Banten province near the western end of Java was a strategically important site and formerly a major trading city, with a secure harbor on the Sunda Strait through which all ocean-going traffic passed, at the mouth of Banten River that provided a navigable passage for light craft into...
and Madras in the 1640s and 1650s. Baker made a fortune in the East India trade.
Madras period
Baker was the first President of Madras when the Presidency of Fort St GeorgeFort St George
Fort St George is the name of the first English fortress in India, founded in 1639 at the coastal city of Madras, the modern city of Chennai. The construction of the Fort provided the impetus for further settlements and trading activity, in what was originally a no man's land...
was created in the year 1652. He served as President from 1652 to 1655.
In 1652-53, caste conflicts arose between "left-hand" and "right-hand castes" which was settled by the English, who reserved the eastern half of the Indian quarter for the "left-hand" castes and the western half of the quarter for the "right-hand" castes.
During this period, the area around Madras was in great turmoil due to the rebellion of Mir Jumla against his overlord in Golconda
Golconda
Golconda may be:Places:* Golkonda, ruined city and fortress in India* Golconda, Illinois, town in the United States* Golconda, Nevada, former town in the United StatesOther:* Golconda...
. During this time, Bala Rao, the chief of Poonamallee raised the customs duties on English goods, thereby causing a drastic increase in the price of goods. Madras was besieged by Bala Rao and his colleague, Tupaki Krishnappa Naick. This blockade and the economic boycott of English trade by Bala Rao forced the English to reduce Fort St George from a Presidency to an Agency when Baker's term came to an end.
Baker's wife, Elizabeth Baker, has the dubious distinction of having the oldest English tombstone in India. She died in 1652 in childbirth at sea when on her way to join her husband in Madras.
Private trade was allowed while holding Presidency positions but had at first been frowned upon; both Aaron Baker and Sir Edward Winter were ultimately dismissed for it.
Later years
Baker retired to Bowhay, near DunchideockDunchideock
Dunchideock is a small civil parish on the north eastern slopes of the Haldon Hills in Teignbridge, Devon, England. It covers an area of 392 hectares and lies about south-west of Exeter and north-east of Bovey Tracey...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England, with the fortunes he earned. In 1669 he rebuilt the chancel aisle of St. Michael's church in Dunchideock, where is a monument to his memory.
On 25 July 1672 Mr. Aaron Baker of Exminster and Mrs Mary Rowe of the parish of Ayston were married.
Baker died in 1683 and is buried in St. Michael, Dunchideock.