Aaron Baker (b.1620 - d.1683) was an English agent of the British East India Company holding Presidency positions in Bantam and Madras in the 1640s and 1650s. Baker made a fortune in the East Indian trade.
In the year of 1638 Baker was in a supervisory position in the factory at Bantam.
Aaron Baker held the presidency position in Bantam, an English station established by the British East India Company in 1603. Baker held the title of president on three separate occasions; 1640 - 1643, 1645 - 1649, 1650 - 1652.
Aaron Baker was the first President of Madras when the Presidency of Fort St George was created in the year 1652. Baker served as President from 1652 to 1655 In 1652-53 caste conflicts arose between "left-hand" and "right-hand castes" which was settled by the British who reserved the eastern half of the Indian quarter for the "left-hand" castes and the western half of the quarter for the "right-hand" castes.
During this period, the area around Madras was in great turmoil due to the rebellion of Mir Jumla against his overlord in Golconda. During this time, Bala Rao, the chief of Poonamallee raised the customs duties on British goods, thereby causing a drastic increase in the price of goods. Madras was besieged by Bala Rao and his colleague, Tupaki Krishnappa Naick. This blockade and the economic boycott of British trade by Bala Rao forced the British to reduce Fort St George from a Presidency to an Agency when Baker's term came to an end.
The wife of Aaron Baker's, Elizabeth Baker, has the dubious distinction of having the oldest British tombstone in India. She died in 1652 in childbirth at sea when on her way to join her husband in Madras.
Private trade was allowed while holding Presidency positions but had at first been frowned upon; both Aaron Baker and Sir Edward Winter were ultimately dismissed for it.
Baker retired to Bowhay, Devon, England near Dunchideock with the fortunes he earned. The chancel aisle of St. Michael, Dunchideock was rebuilt in 1669 by Aaron Baker; there is a monument to his memory.
On 25th July 1672 Mr. Aaron Baker of Exminster and Mrs Mary Rowe of the parish of Ayston were married.
Baker died in 1683 and is buried in St. Michael, Dunchideock.
