Puducherry Trade Networks in Ananda Ranga Pillai's Diary (1736-1761)
By S. Babu
Summary
Ananda Ranga Pillai's diary (1736-1761) provides detailed insights into Puducherry's trade networks during the 18th century, revealing the French East India Company's commercial activities and regional exchanges. The French operated from Puducherry, Chandranagore, Mahe, and other settlements, engaging in coastal, Asiatic, and oceanic trade. Coastal trade involved ports like Yanam, Masulipatnam, Pulicat, Chennai, and Alambarai, with commodities such as textiles (especially chintz), rice, tobacco, salt, and lime mortar (chunnam) being exchanged. Puducherry's trade with Chandranagore focused on rice, silk, and spices, while Yanam supplied long cloth. Masulipatnam and Pulicat were key for spices and tobacco, with Puducherry procuring grains during political upheavals. The Puducherry-Alambarai route facilitated salt and lime transport via the ship Marie Gertrude, which also spied on British ships under a Muslim flag. Cuddalore supplied grains and textiles, while Ceylon provided spices, coir, and arrack. The French also traded with Mahe, Mauritius, Surat, and Southeast Asian regions like Manila and Siam, exporting textiles and importing goods like camphor, tin, and elephants. Native merchants played a significant role in coastal and Asiatic trade, with Indian Chetti and Pillai owning vessels. Inland trade brought grains, tobacco, and betel leaves to Puducherry, regulated by the government. Pillai's diary highlights the interconnectedness of regional and long-distance trade, including China (via Macao) and the Red Sea (via Mocha), driven by European demand for spices, textiles, and coffee. The document underscores Puducherry's role as a commercial hub and the French Company's reliance on indigenous networks for trade during the Carnatic Wars.
Conclusion
Ananda Ranga Pillai's diary offers a detailed reconstruction of 18th-century Puducherry's trade networks, revealing the French East India Company's reliance on indigenous merchants and the port's role in coastal, Asiatic, and oceanic commerce. The study highlights the diversity of traded goods, including textiles like chintz, spices, tobacco, and commodities like rice and lime, alongside strategic trade practices during Anglo-French conflicts. The analysis underscores Puducherry's economic significance as a hub for regional and long-distance trade, connecting India with Southeast Asia, China, and the Red Sea region. The diary's insights into trade routes, commodity exchange, and commercial strategies provide valuable historical context for understanding colonial-era economic dynamics in South India.