This fascinating new history of the city focuses on the 18th century where scholarship is rare, instead of the 19th century and subsequent years. The author argues that the century was a watershed in the city's history when its foundations were laid and it grew from scattered hamlets into a presidency town. The century, rich with intrigue, interlopers, pirates, country powers, fortifications and land reclamation is also one which sees a new kind of English involvement in India. From commercial freebooters they become rulers.