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

However the Muslims were no match to the newly emerged colonial power, the
English, who became the masters of Coromandel by 1800. The English adopted an
ambivalent policy towards Coromandel Muslims and their maritime activities declined gradually
to insignificance by 1900. The Muslims by their maritime activities have contributed a
honourable share for the economic development of the Coromandel region
When the Muslims lost opportunities in maritime activities on the
Coromandel many migrated to Ceylon and Southeast Asian countries and settled as
traders, pedlers and labourers. With the closure of doors for seaborn trade by 1900,
the Muslims with the spirit of Tennyson's Ulyses, 'To find, to seek, to strive and not
to yield", searched for new fields and spread themselves into the interior parts of
Tamil Nadu where they established various business houses in wholesale and retall
trade.
The Tamil Muslims share many customs and practices in common with their
coreiigionists, the Hindus. At the same time they identify themselves with their own
customs and mannerse. They practise endogamous marriage. Matrilocal residence,
house gift to the bride are some of the unique customs among the Marakkayars.As
great fortune seekers, the material minded Muslims strictly perform their duties as
expected of a devout Muslim. Charity, hospitality and philonthropy are in their
blood.
Apart from the policies persued by the European powers, neglect of modern
education and technologies, limited capital resources, non cohesive nature of trade
among themselves lack of Interest in joint ventures and absence of political patronage
were a few causes for the economic breakdown of the Maritime Muslim community.
As the socio economic profile of the Coromandel Muslims is not studied
adequately a sincere attempt is made here to unfold the matrix of the maritime
activlties, economy and social customs of this community during 1750 - 1900.Thus
this humble study is to bring to light the role of the community in maritime activities
on the Coromandel Coast in various capacities, in overseas and coastal trade as
traders, shipowlters, shipping professionals; part played by them in pearl
and chank fishing and other maritime activlties and also their social organisation and
customs at a micro level.