maritime activities economy and social customs of the muslims of ...

But for this, the sinking economy of the maritime Muslim people of the area would have
come to a near collapse. Thus the Danes rendered a timely help to the Coromandel Muslim
maritime tradersI5#.
The English purchased the Danish settlement of Tranquebar in 1845 and thereafter
the commercial importance of Tranquebar declined. After 1845 Nagapattanam gained
commercial importance ar a main port.
V. - V - THE ENGUSH
The English East lndia Company emerged from a humble beginning, rose to height
of opulance and power in India. Throughout the period of our study, the English East lndia
Company and the British power continued and make their presence felt in the political and
commercial history of Coromandel. The maritime activities of the Muslims met with many
fluctuations under the English and finally they were reduced to insignificance. With the firm
establishment of the English the maritime Muslims once dominated the ocean trade from the
Coromandel region were pushed back to the status of pew traders.
At the beginning of the period of our study, the two major European powers, the
Dutch and the English reacted to the political turmoil keeping in view their own interests and
the opportunities that came their way and were ready to defend their trading rights. The
English were strong in and around Madras and Cuddalore. The Dutch were concentrated in
the Madura Bay and Pak Straits adjucent to Ceylon. The native powers also responded
suitably, opening the doors for the ascendancy of these European powers which ultimately
subordinated them politically and economically155.
The English entered into Coromandel trade as early as 1614166. They established a
factory at Pulicat in 1619, but the trade was not profitable due to Dutch competition and the
factory was closed in 1623157. Their first attempt to establish a factory at Thanjavur
Nayak's territory did not materialise. In 1624 the English negotiated with the Thanjavur
Nayak for favours and privileges. The negotiations broke down due to the greedy demands
of the Nayakl68. Viriddhagirisan attributes the failure to the intrigues of the Danes who
were enjoying considerable Influence in Nayak's