Dutch settlement at Jaggernaickpuram The
Dutch East India Company (VOC) established a
trading post at Jaggernaickpuram (also spelled Jagernaykpalam, among other variations) in present-day Kakinada, during the
Dutch colonization of India. On 25 September 1734, Haji Muhammad Hussain, the Nawab of Rajahmundry, granted the Dutch a parwana and kaul, officially transferring the hamlet of "Jagernaykpalam" to the VOC for the construction of a trading lodge.
Establishment and decline of Coringa port In 1759, the British established a shipbuilding and repair facility in the area, which came to be known as
Coringa Town, located on the
Coringa River, a branch of the
Godavari River. Its strategic location and safe anchorage attracted European merchants, including the British, French, Dutch, and Portuguese, who utilized its port for trade and maritime activities on the
Coromandel Coast. In 1802, a wet dock was constructed in Coringa, making it a vital facility for repairing
Royal Navy and other vessels. This dock was notable for being the only wet dock between
Bombay (now Mumbai) and
Calcutta (now Kolkata) and one of the few locations capable of accommodating large ships. The town's coastal location, however, made it vulnerable to frequent storms and inundations. In 1784, a sea rise caused vessels to drift as far inland as
Rajahmundry. The most catastrophic of these was the
cyclone of 25 November 1839, which had a storm surge estimated at 40 feet. This cyclone completely destroyed the port and around 20,000 vessels killing over 300,000 people across the region. This event was one of the first to be cited by
Henry Piddington, who coined the term "
cyclone" to describe such phenomena. After the 1839 disaster, Coringa's port never fully recovered, and homes were relocated further inland. By the 1870s, the river had become too shallow, and the approaches too difficult, limiting the town's role to servicing only small craft. Despite this decline, Coringa continued to maintain some trade connections, particularly with
Moulmein and
Rangoon.
Growth of Cocanada With the silting of Coringa Bay, Kakinada, then known as Cocanada, emerged as a prominent port, replacing
Coringa. Its strategic location and growing exports established it as a significant trade centre in the 19th century. By the 1860s, the
British India Steam Navigation Company began regular maritime operations in the region. This reorganization resulted in the creation of two districts, Godavari and Kistna, with their boundaries defined by the Upputeru and Tamaleru rivers. Since its designation, Kakinada has consistently served as a district headquarters, cementing its role as a key administrative and economic centre in the region. The
American Civil War (1861–1865) further boosted Kakinada's prominence as a key shipping hub for cotton from Guntur. In 1865, infrastructure developments included an iron-girder bridge linking Kakinada with Jagannadhapuram These improvements bolstered trade and communication in the region. The European Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1868, represented European firms, while the native Chamber of Commerce worked alongside it to promote trade. The local economy thrived on exports of cotton, gingelly oil seeds, sugar, and rice, while imports included iron and copper. However, Kakinada reclaimed its status as the region's largest city by 1931, with its population rising to 65,952. By the early 20th century, Kakinada had emerged as the principal port on the Coromandel Coast, north of Madras. The port became a thriving commercial hub, attracting prominent European and native merchants, including firms like
Ralli Brothers, Gordon, Woodroffe & Co., and
Volkart Brothers. Kakinada port played a crucial role in trade within the
Godavari district and its hinterlands, and even with parts of the
Nizam's Dominions. Local industries, such as rice mills,
cheroot factories, and salt works, supported by companies like Simson & Co. and Innes & Co., contributed to the town's economic growth. During
World War II, on 6 April 1942, Kakinada was targeted by a Japanese air raid. A single aircraft attacked the port, damaging two ships and causing casualties, including one death and five injuries. This marked one of the earliest Japanese air raids on India's eastern coast during the war. Today, Kakinada is a thriving port city renowned for its industrial and economic importance within Andhra Pradesh. It serves as a key hub for trade, maritime activities, and cultural heritage in the region. == Geography ==