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

In 1736 the rulers of Tamil country bowed to the Mughal imperialism. The Nayakdoms
became their trlbutory states. The southem part of Mughal territory known as Camatic, was
inagurated with Arcot as headquarters. The first Nawab Zulphikarkhan established his authority
in Carnatic. But the Nawabs of Arcot due to political and others factors could not keep the
country intact. After the decline of the Nayaks, the disheartened auxillaly powers became
inimical to the Nawab of Arcot, who failed to make hay while the sun shone. The powerful
local Poligars took the bull by the homs defied the authority of the Nawab and consequently
the Camatic reglon became a scene of incescent intrigues and conflicts. When Anwa~ddhin
was appointed as the chief of Arcot, civil war broke between the Navayet and Wallajah family
of Arcot. The Arcot episode coincided with the succession dispute for Nizamship of Hydrabad.
Thus there was total political disruption in southem region paving the way for Europeans
to enter in to our politics. The French and the Engslish who had already succeeded in
establishing their hold in some parts of Coromandel started fishing in troubled waters supporting
the rival groups in Arcot and Hydrabad to gain mastely over the situation. The Camatic wars
that ensued as a result of such discard and dissensions were favourable to the English. With
the characteristic policy of divide and rule and naval supremacy the English annihilated all their
rivals one by one and emerged triumphant ultimately'6 . Mohamed Ali was confirmed in the
Nawahship in 1754 who espoused the cause of the English.
Mohamed Ali (1754-96) is an interesting personality in the history of South lndia and
was responsible for the firm footing of the English in the peninsula. His period was full of wars.
He had to face hostilities from various quarters. The English pretended to be the champions
of the Nawab and their alliance yielded him some timely victories. The English slowly grabbed
the political powers of the Nawab and became partners in administrations. By 1795 the
English East India Company became the defacto rulers of the Camatic and the Nawab was a
shadow.
The English with the characteristic statecraft outwitted the native powers taking the
wind out of their sail. The Poligars who emerged on the mins of the princely order, refused to
comply with the demands of the Company. The Poligar rebellion of 1799 was suppressed
ruthlessly, liquidating the influence of the local chieftains. The Nawab was made as a
Pensioner by the treaty of 1801 and the British paramountacy was firmly and permanently
established in our land.
In these political background the Commandel TamU Muslims were In a pedlar sltuatlon
From the available sources right from the rise of Islam in Coromandel, the Muslims were not