Avadhanum Paupiah

Avadhanum (or Avadhanam) Paupiah was born in a modest Telugu Brahmin family from Nellore. Through business and dealings with the English East India Company he became one of the most important men in Madras.

Avadhanum Paupiah learnt English and Persian, the court language of the Nawab of Arcot. These languages and his native Telugu made him more than competent linguist, a skills he decided to put in use as an employ of the EIC in Madras. He started as a clerk who writes or copies documents and papers in the Sea Customs department, but rose quickly up the ladder. Paupiah became dubash (interpreter and commercial agent) for the Holland brothers, John and Edward J., who were among the most influential officers of the EIC, and were even appointed as Governors of Madras; John in 1789, and Edward in 1790. All of their business went through Paupiah, even the Nawab of Arcot had to go through him to get to the brothers. Unfortunately for Paupiah, the Holland brothers were amassing riches through illegal means. When their schemes were discovered the brothers escaped unpunished to England. Avadhanum Paupiah was put to trial in 1792 and was sentenced to imprisonment for three years and fined £ 2000 in addition. In 1808 Paupiah was again involved in some fraudulent activities, but this time he escaped trial by passing away in 1809.