Kasi Viranna

Kasi Viranna was one of the most prominent Indian businessmen of the 17th century who founded the firs Indian-owned joint stock company, Cassa Verona & Co.

Kasi Viranna had extensive business dealings with the English and the Dutch East India Company, as well as with the Golconda administration. During the 1670s he dominated the trade with the English and was their Chief Merchant in Madras. His main business was supplying cloth to the Company procured from different sources – but chiefly from south Andhra. In addition to his own trading house he teamed with several merchants to form Cassa Verona & Co., the first Indian-owned joint stock company.

Viranna also ventured in revenue farming. He became the renter of Armagaon (Durgarayapatnam) and Kothapatnam (north of Madras), paying the Company 1200 pagodas a year. Though he was not making money from this he remained a renter, since that gave him social status.

Kasi Viranna died suddenly in March 1680. At his funeral he received a 30 gun salute.