August 22 1639 – 2 Elul 5399
Madras (now Chennai), India, was founded by the British East India Company on a sliver of land bought from local Nayak rulers. Jewish merchants played a significant role in Madras as can be seen from the fact that three Jewish merchants were among the 12 Alderman nominated to serve on the first local governing council established in 1688. One of the first Jews who came to Madras with special permission to reside and trade there was Jacques (Jaime) de Paiva (Pavia), originally from Amsterdam. Most Jews living in Madras were of English or Portuguese origin. They exported diamonds extracted from the mines at Goloconda to England, and imported silver and coral. The Jewish community in Madras no longer exists but evidence of its vitality can be seen in the Jewish cemetery located on Mint Street.