What caused Machilipatnam to decline as a port town?
Machilipatnam was once a prosperous and populous port but after Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb annexed Golconda in 1686-1687, the European Companies started to look for alternatives in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. It was in accordance of their strategy to choose a port for trading that offered political, administrative, and commercial roles.
As the European companies started concentrating on other ports since Machilipatnam did not offer political, administrative powers, the town eventually declined during the eighteenth century.
As the European companies started concentrating on other ports since Machilipatnam did not offer political, administrative powers, the town eventually declined during the eighteenth century.