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

the Frsnch gave them protection under their flag and pressed Into service French sailors and
soldiers to protect their business ventures. But the French also restricted Indian shipping by
issue of passes and permitting trade under their coloun only if they did not cany goods of
adversaries during war tlmeslm.
The French Company provided the merchant community several avenues for their
economic prosperity by making them participate in export and import trades, shipping.
money lending and minting. Being commercially and economicaUy weak, the French had to
adjust wlth the locals to keep their enterprises going. The native merchants derived utmost
benefit by their participation in these enterprises and they grew in wealth, status, and
commercial power. But the religious intolerance of the French on certain occasions was a
hindrance to their progress. lS1
Karaikkal was a dlstlnct centre of salt manufacture. Export of salt to Bengal was the
chief avenue open to the French at the close of the eighteenth century. It contributed the
main source of income to the go~ernment.'~~ According to an agreement in 1815, between
the French and the English, salt manufacture was suppressed in French territories. Hence
salt was brought from English territories for sale and the native crafts took up this work.
Rice, paddy, fish, brick, poultry, sandal wood, bone powder, indigo, skin and hides and
spices were exported to France, French colonies and British colonies. Steamers belonging
to the BriHrh Lndk St-
Navigation Company and other shipping companies called regukrly
at thls port In comectlon with the passenger servlce to Penang, Singapore and other Eastern
cities.13s Indian labourers were sent from this port in large numbers to the Eastern co~nMes.'~
By the third quarter of nineteenth century, the French ports lost their importance
when compared to other Coromandel ports. In 1894, imposition of advolaram dutles on
goods entelag F d ports dealt a -re
blow to the prosperity of the French ports. lntrcductlon
of railway in British India was another important reason for the decline of trading activities in
these ports.