[2] On the removal of Streynsham Master on charges of private trade in the year 1681, William Gyfford was made the Agent of Madras.

Lingappa seeing his chance demanded a huge amount in return for his friendship and help in curbing private trade and other criminal activities.

A firman was signed by the Naik of Poonamallee on behalf of the Sultan of Golconda providing a new cowle for the district of Madraspatnam at the rate of 1,200 pagodas per annum.

Under extreme pressure from Josiah Childe, William Gyfford introduced reforms to increase the revenues of the East India Company.

Under pressure from Josiah Child and the Board of Directors of the East India Company, he imposed stringent taxes on the inhabitants of the settlement.

On 4 August 1686 the Portuguese soldiers in the service of the East India Company deputed to serve in the war in Bengal refused to embark on their journey under the suspicion that the factors actually intended to send them to revive an abandoned settlement in West Sumatra which had fallen to a mysterious epidemic.

[6] With death of Shivaji in 1680, Maratha power in the Deccan began to decline and the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb lead a huge expedition to the South to recover lost territories.