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Home , Coromandel Coast, French Colonial Union, Karaikal

JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS

ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 18, 2020 Traces of at during Colonial [French] period

* B. Balasubramanian, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of History, Annamalai University. **Dr. V. Thirumurugan, Associate Professor, Annamalai University. ***Dr. D. Julius Vijayakumar, Associate Professor, TBML College, Porayar.

Submitted: 14.08.2020 Revised: 25.08.2020 Accepted: 02.09.2020

ABSTRACT Slave trade as an institution is an unpleasant gift of Imperialism and . It haunted the life of several lakhs of innocent people across the world. The colonialism took slavery into the highest level of exploitation by making it as an organized commercial activity. Slavery was practiced usually in many places in ancient and medieval times across . Slavery in developed as a practice due to poverty, famine, debt, taxation and other social causes. The Historian traces for slavery existed in Tamil country in the medieval period itself through various inscriptions. The advent of Europeans in was the dawn of slave trade in , initially the Portuguese. However, slavery was practiced in ancient Tamil Nadu it was not practiced as a trade activity. The Portuguese were the pioneers in introducing slave labour in the Asian . Slaves were brought to India from , Arabia and Persia. Before 1644, the Dutch did not participate in slave trade at Tamil coast. In 1644, the Dutch started to participate in slave trade due to the supply of slaves in and around . The Dutch documents give an account that a slave was purchased for very cheap rate. Licensed agencies for exporting slaves were set up in Karaikal and . The French agents used to hand over the people to the agency and get good brokerage. The gathered slaves were further handed over to the ship captain. Illegal trafficking of slaves also taken place secretly. The customs duty for the export of slaves was charged since 1715. On 27th April 1848, the French Government issued a Decree. By which Slave Trade was abolished from Pondicherry. The Tamils those were sold as slaves in this Islands were put to work in rubber, tea, coffee estates and sugarcane fields and they were highly harassed and humiliated by the English and the French. Key words; De jure, Pagoda, Forced Labour, Valorum Duty, AL-VILAI-PIRAMANA-ISAIVU THITTU.

Introduction

The slavery may be defined as the state of a person who is a chattel of another. The slavery is an activity of legally owning other people and force to work for or obey. Slavery is any system in which principles of property law are applied to people, allowing individuals to own, buy and sell other individuals, as a De Jure form of property. A slave is unable to withdraw unilaterally from such an arrangement and works without remuneration. Slave trade as an institution is an unpleasant gift of Imperialism and colonialism. It haunted the life of several lakhs of innocent people across the world. The colonialism took slavery into the highest level of exploitation by making it as an organized commercial activity. Slavery was practiced usually in many places in ancient and medieval times across India. Slavery in Tamil Nadu developed as a practice due to poverty, famine, debt, taxation and other social causes. The Historian traces for slavery existed in Tamil country in the medieval period itself through various inscriptions. These slaves were non-independent or half independent. They were put to work in agricultural fields. An inscription of 1175 AD, gives an account that the women were purchased for money and deployed in temples fortunately.1 The deed for the sale of slaves was named as AL-VILAI-PIRAMA-ISAIVU THITTU. Slaves are the property of the purchaser as long as he or she lives. The Nayaks who controlled Coromandel areas taxed on the slave owner.2The Need of Agricultural labour led to slavery in Coromandel . As the Tanjore region (Karaikal was under the rule of Tanjore rulers up to Karaikal was occupied by the French) was a fertile land and agricultural activities were done throughout the year. Tanjore was the Granary of Tamil Nadu as a result it was prone to the practice of slavery

Slave trade in the Coromandel coast of Tanjore The advent of Europeans in Indian Ocean was the dawn of slave trade in Coromandel coast, Initially the

1 Jayaseela Stephen, VaralatrinIrunda Pakkangaluku Selludhal- Pudhiya Aaraichi,pp. 71 2 ______, Coromandel Coast and its Hinterland, p. 180 4483

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ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 18, 2020

Portuguese.3 However slavery was practiced in ancient Tamil Nadu it was not practiced as a trade activity. The Portuguese were the pioneers in introducing slave labour in the Asian continent. Slaves were brought to India from Africa, Arabia and Persia.4 India was both exporter and importer of slaves in 17th century. In 16th and 17th century Portuguese were importing slaves into India from their colonies Mozambique and Mombasa.5 The Portuguese employed slaves in their homes where they settled in Coromandel Coast but they did not Engaged in slave trade in Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu.6 In this regard no evidence has been found to substantiate the export of slaves in Tamil coast before 17th century. They were put to work upon domestic needs by Portuguese.

The speeding up of trade activities in Indian ocean during 17th century led to development of slave trade due to demand in maritime regions and development of Port-States in south east which attracted cheap labour. The port city of sultanate of Aceh became famous trading centre in 17th century. Aceh needed labour for pepper plantation, paddy fields and its Tin Mines.7 The slave trade has begun after the advent of Dutch in the Coromandel Coast.8 In the initial stage of trade, Europeans concentrated on exporting rice, textile, elephants and horses from India and imported tea, coffee, liquors, sugar and tobacco into India.9 The European Capitalism developed in the middle of 16th century paved way for the making men as selling commodity. In 1615, Dutch were much concerned of purchasing slave for fortification in the east.10 From the letters of Christian Missionaries, it is understood that, the people who taken shelter due to famine were shipped by the Dutch in the name of providing food, and they were sold to other countries during the reign of Chokkanatha Nayak in 17th century.11

Before 1644, the Dutch did not participate in slave trade at Tamil coast. In 1644, the Dutch started to participate in slave trade due to the supply of slaves in and around Nagapattinam.12 The Dutch documents give an account that a slave was purchased for very cheap rate of ¾ pagoda.13

Slave Trade Regulations The Dutch in Coromandel Tamil coast laid certain regulations for the slave trade. Dutch Governor John Peart Coven played vital role in it. As per the regulations before selling the slaves to Dutch slave traders has to certify the health and fitness of the slaves. If any slave observed of infected by Venereal disease the slave trader should return entire money. A slave can be sold in front of a Notary and two independent witnesses.14 In 1678, Sivaji, the Ruler of Tanjore issued an order to the European traders to not to continue slave trade in Coromandel Coast.15 European documents give an account on the age of the children purchased as slave from India. Mostly that is 10 years and below in some cases.16 Before the Emigration of Tamils to South Africa, the French and English Emigrated thousands of Tamils in and French island Reunion through Pondicherry, Nagapattinam and Tranquebar ports. The Tamils those were sold as slaves in these Islands were put to work in rubber, tea, coffee estates and sugarcane fields and they were highly harassed and humiliated by English and the French.17 The Government Order of 17th June, 1859, enabled the French to immigrate the people of Puducherry and Karaikal to Reunion, a colony of . The people from British India around Karaikal were also immigrated to Reunion.18

The Classification of Slaves To overcome the issues in slave trade, the slaves were classified in to four classes. As follows; 1. Company slaves-private women-men slaves. 2. House hold slaves-farm slaves. 3. Created slaves - converted slaves.

3 S.Arasaratnam,Slave Trade in Indian Ocean in the 17th Century,p. 5 4 Jayaseela Stephen, Portuguese in the Tamil Coast, p.155 5op. cit., p. 3 6op. cit., p. 156 7 ibid, pp. 3 - 4 8 S. Jayaseela Stephen, Pondicherry under French, p.122 9 S. Jayaseela Stephen,Varalatrin Irunda Pakkangaluku Selludhal, Pudhiya Aaraichi, p. 70 10 S. Arasaratnam, op. cit.,p. 6 11 ibid, p. 9 12 S. Jayaseela Stephen,Varalatrin Irunda Pakkangaluku Selludhal,p. 85 13op. cit., p.10. 14op. cit., p. 82 15 S. Jayaseela Stephen, Portuguese in the Tamil Coast, p. 158 16Jayaseela Stephen, Varalatrin Irunda Pakkangaluku Selludhal, p. 90 17 S.Thillaivanam,Thamizhagam-Puduvai Varalarum Panbadum, p. 303 18 K.Govindarajan, Seermalgu Karaikal, p. 160 4484

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4. The slaves sold to foreign countries who were enslaved themselves. The slaves purchased were of five kind; a) purchased, b) Hereditary, c) purchased during disease and famine, d) Forced slaves and e) European slaves.19

Slave trade from Karaikal Before the conquest of Karaikal by the French, it was not a port city. Before emerging as a port City, Karaikal was connected to sea routes by Nagapattinam only. When a lot of slaves were purchased and sold to other countries by the Dutch from Nagapattinam and adjacent area, a lot of people from Karaikal also sold as slaves, as karaikal is just adjacent to , a small which is 6 Kilometers on the way to Nagapattinam. By that time karaikal and Nagapattinam were under same Tanjore rule.

After the seizure of Pondicherry by English, the French paid their attention towards Karaikal for trade. They purchased slaves and sent to Mauritius and isle de Reunion, , and islands near America for sugarcane plantations.20 In short time slave trade become more significant than the textile export for the French.21 The following categories of people were exported as slaves from Karaikal by French East India Company. 1) The people who were straitened. 2) Who were off the daily employment? 3) Who were driven out of lands? 4) Who lost employment in salt fields due to recession? 5) Who were not get wages even after work?22 In 1760 price of a slave in Karaikal was 3-4 Porto Novo pagodas (In 18th Century, One Porto Novo Pagoda equals to 2.62 Rupee). Due to the non- availability of adult men slaves, the agents in Karaikal arranged to supply children. In January 1767, two and half years old kid was sold for 3pagoda. The French records give an account of the purchase of a Male slave for 53 Arcot rupees in august 1769. 9year girl was purchased for 4 pagodas in March 1774. A Girl of 8 years was purchased for three pagodas. Two young boys of age 12 and 16 were purchased for six and sixteen pagodas. The Name of a Paraiyar caste boy Veera, who was sold as slave is also appeared. The price of slave shoot-up as the demand for slaves increased in Mauritius and Isle Le Reunion.23 It is noteworthy that the Senses 1791, gives an account of slaves in Karaikal. It was 523 slaves in Karaikal as per Government records.24 Slave Sale Deeds In the sale deed, the names and caste of the seller is given. Kumaran of Vellala caste sold his 12 year son to Appu. In another case, the father received three and half pagoda for the sale of 8year son in the month of November in 1774. A slave of 10 years of age was sold for 50 Rupees (20 Pagoda) in 1774. Nagatha of Vellala caste sold her daughter Kamalayi. A French document gave the names of purchaser also. They were in that includes the names of Ange Marie Nicolas, the notary clerk of Karaikal (4 sale deeds), Alexanders de Rosaire (3 sale deeds), poly d' Aubigny, the master surveyor of Karaikal (3 sale deeds). The Vellala purchased from Karaikal were sent to Mauritius for plantation. The slaves were first sent to Pondicherry, and then they sent to Mauritius and Isle Le Reunion. The French company sent 329 slaves to Mascarenes till 1775.25 From 1766 to 1776 alone 49 slaves were exported to Mauritius and Le Reunion. The table given below shows the details of slaves from exported to Mauritius and Le Reunion from Karaikal during 1766-1776.26 Year Male Female Total

1766 - 01 01

1767 - 01 01

19 Jayaseela Stephen, Varalatrin Irunda Pakkangaluku Selludhal, p. 91 20 S. Murugesan, Avanangalil Karaikal, p. 124. & S. Jayaseela Stephen, Pondicherry under French, p. 128 21 S. Jayaseela Stephen, Portuguese in the Tamil Coast, p. 156 22 op. cit. 23 S. Jayaseela Stephen, Pondicherry under French, p.128. 24 K. Govindarajan, Seermalgu Karaikal, p. 159 25 Ibid, p. 129…….. 26 Edmond Gaudart, catalogue des manuscrits des ancienna archives de I' Inde Francaise,1690-1789,8 vols, Pondichery 1926-42 4485

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1771 01 - 01

1774 20 17 37

1775 03 02 05

1776 02 02 04

The slave agents will lure the innocent, unemployed Youth, widows, women abandoned by their husbands and women toiling with their children, that they will become a millionaire in short time by working in abroad. The tragedy is that the slave agents kidnapping children by giving drugs in Karaikal and nearby British Indian provinces. Licensed agencies for exporting slaves were set up in Karaikal and Pondicherry. The agents used to hand over the people to the agency and get good brokerage.27 The gathered slaves were further handed over to the ship captain. Illegal trafficking of slaves were also taken place secretly. The customs duty for the export of slaves was charged as 4% since 1715. The custom duty was raised often to increase revenue. Superior council of Pondicherry ordered to levy ½ percent ad valorem duty on export of slaves in January 1739. A writer was appointed to maintain Records of export of commodities and slaves in port.28 The slaves were kept in the lower floor of ship with other commodities. The slaves experienced Poor lighting, scarcity of food and water, shaking of ship, vomiting, fever and non-availability of medicine. The mortality rate was 7-14% during ship travel. Women got raped and experienced perdition that travel with 2-3 children.29 The slave trade stopped from August 1778 to February 1785 due to English occupied Pondicherry again.30 The Tamils those were sold as slaves in these Islands were put to work in rubber, tea, coffee estates and sugarcane fields and they were highly harassed and humiliated by the English and the French.31

Condition of slaves exported from karaikal The survived slaves after horrible ship travel will be sold like animals in the foreign markets. The price of the slave will be 2000 f to 3000 Franc (800 Rupees to 1200 rupees). The slave laborers who put to work in sugarcane fields were have to work 14-18 hours per day. Scarcity of food and poor lodging, same working hours for men, women and children and Supervisors with whip were mentioned. And where, one can hear the continuous sound of the Whip and non availability of medicines. The slaves put to work in plantations were died within six months.32

Conclusion Export increased as many ships anchored for slave export from Karaikal. As the trade increased by the export of rice, coconut, Sesame, oil and textile along with slaves, economy developed. As the result of this Economy of Merchant communities grew up. Due to fall in the price of sugar in International market the export of slaves from Karaikal gradually reduced. Victor Schoelcher, the French Humanist who is remembered as the father of Abolishing Slavery fought consistently to eradicate slave trade. On 27th April 1848, the French Government issued a Decree. By which Slave Trade was abolished from Pondicherry. Slavery trade was prohibited on 22 Feb 1792 by the pursuance of King’s Instructions to the civil commissioners, during the Governorship of Lescallier.33 An immigration society said to be attained more profit in the export of Indian laborer’s to port Bourbon, , Guadeloupe and Martinique.34

27S. Murugesan, op. citt., pp. 124 - 126. 28 S. Jayaseela Stephen, Pondicherry under French, p. 129 29 S. Murugesan, op. citt., p.126 30op. citt. 31 S.Thillaivanam, op. citt., p. 303. 32 S. Murugesan, op. citt., p. 130. 33 Francis Cyril Antony, Gazetteer of India, of Pondicherry, vol. I, p. 219 34K. S. Hemingway, Tanjore District Gazetteer, p. 291

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