Although it was the main British settlement in the Carnatic, Madras was weakly fortified and had only a small garrison, reflecting the thoroughly commercial nature of the European presence in India hitherto.
Kuigi see oli peamine Briti asuala Karnātakas, oli Madras nõrgalt kindlustatud ja omas vaid väikest garnisoni, peegeldades Euroopa kohaloleku Indias seni peamiselt kaubanduslikku iseloomu.