' History of Colachel '

INTRODUCTION:
Nowadays local history and place name history occupied prominent place in historical writing. On the basis of inscriptions, coins, monuments, palmleaf manuscripts and through oral transformation, huge information’s in connection with villages, towns and cities come out. Colachel, a port town of this eastern coastal line is also one among the important centres of Kanyakumari District. Since the arrival of Ptolemy, and others, we are getting information on this glorious port city. Anonymous author of Periplus of the Earthrean Sea also speaks about this city. After the geographical discoveries happened worldwide, the Dutch came to India, started their commercial establishments on the coastal line of eastern side and very soon Colachel became a popular trade centre for spices. When Marthanda Varma became the undisputed ruler of Travancore State, a great war happened in the Colachel beach and at last, the Dutch under D'lennoy were thoroughly defeated by the Travancore army. 3 Colachel is a natural port but marginalised by the Govts. during the past and now recently the Malaysian Govt. came forward and accepted to spend 6000 crores for the development of this natural port. It has a municipal administration and the centre is famous for national, communal integration. Regarding the primary sources, only limited inscriptions and monuments are available. But the secondary sources are also supplying scanty information and hence the scholar has finished the work with the personal interviews done with the important dignitaries of the town and the Municipal records also supply some information on the various aspects of this town. Regarding the chapterisation chapter one speaks about the Introduction to this topic and the second chapter speaks about the Profile of Kanyakumari District. The third chapter speaks about the Historical background of Colachel and the fourth chapter speaks about The Battle of Colachel and its implications. The fifth chapter gives a vivid a picture about Colachel Municipality. The outcome of the five chapters form the Conclusion. Geographical: Broadwings of South Tamilnadu

Tamilnadu is bounded on the north and northwest by the Mysore plateau and by the Triupati Hills in the northwest. The Arabian Seas lies on the west. The Indian Ocean on the south and the Bay of Bengal on the east. The Island cylone is to the southeast of Tamilnadu. It can be called geographical and cultural constitution of Tamilnadu. The hills of Tamilnadu have been in existence million of years before genetic valley, and Himalayas took that present shape. Large tracts of land of the ‘South of Cape Comorin’ Might have disappeared due to Geographical disturbances / Natural disasters e.g. Tsunami that occurred on Dec 24th 2004*. The stretch from Sumatra to Bali and on to New Guinea might be the remnants of the once large tracts of lands. Such a disappearance might have occurred not in historical period but earlier. The phenomenon might have taken place in the geographical period. The deeply entrenched and relatively youthful streams, waterfalls high hanging valleys, allwial flats and patches of marine sediment at high elevations, and the presence of elevated seachiffs near Colachel and Sucindram hear testimony to the uplift of the land mass. PROFILE OF KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

Location Kanyakumari district is the southernmost district of Tamil Nadu. It is lying between 77.5 and 77.36 eastern longitude and 8.3 and 8.35 northern latitude.1 Hence it is lying within the equatorial belt. It is located on the west coast, west of southernmost part of western ghats.2 Boundaries Geographically, Kanyakumari district is bounded by the Bay of Bengal on the east, the widespread dark blue Indian Ocean on the south and the ever glittering Arabian sea on the south-west, the State of Kerala on the west, Pothiyil hills on the north and Mahendragiri on the north-east.3 The Veli hills and Thadakamalai the outliers of Mahendragiri deep on the mainland of Kalkulam and Thovalai taluks Location, General Boundaries, Total Area and Population The district has derived its name from the township Kanyakumari, also known as 'Cape Comorin'. This is the southern extremity of India, beyond which there are only somany rocks; one housing the famous Vivekananda memorial and another one decosater Thiruvalluvar Statue now. The township has been named after the Goddess 'Kanyakumari' to whom a temple is dedicated. Kanyakumari is the southern most district of Tamilnadu. The district lies between 77 05 and 77 36 of the eastern longitude and 8 03' and 8 36' of the northern latitudes. The district is bounded by Tirunelveli district on the north and the east. The southeastern boundary is the Guff of Mannar. On the south and southwest the boundaries are the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. On the west and northwest it is bounded by the State of Kerala.respectively and making mountainous region at arms reach for those passing along HN 47 between Villukury and Parvathipuram.4 5.Ibid., Mahendragiri mountain is 2,500 ft in height. It is the highest peak in Kanniyakumari district. The area of Tamilnadu is 130, 058sq.kms of this Kanyakumari district occupies 1684sq.kms i.e., 1.29% of the total extent of Tamilnadu. The population of the district is 1,423,399 of which 7,16,958 (50.4%) are males and 7,06,441 (49.6%) are females. Origin of name of the district By 31.10.1956, the four Tamil speaking southern taluks namely Agasteeswaram, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavancode of Trivandrum district of former Travancore - Cochin princely state were separated, formed as a new administrative district, name it as Kanyakumari district in honour of virgin Goddess Bhagavathi - Kanyakumari, and merged to the State of Madras on 1.11.1956. Thus the district of Kanyakumari was born as a holy district on 1.11.1956.5 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COLACHEL It is ordinarily stated that the captains of ships came from foreign countries like Greece, Rome, used to say 'Colach' for the goods to be purchased.

Later the word 'Colach' was transformed to Colachel. A recently published book speaks about various reasons behind the name Colachel. It is named as Colachel, because people come this place where paddy is grow and they wanted to purchase that rice. Later it is transformed as Colachel, The world 'Colachi' denote about the paddy land. Another version says that the reason for the name as Colachi in the beginning with as because of high yielding of paddy. It was belived that Later transformed into Colachel. Colachel Throughout Ages The known fact derived that Nanjilnadu was under the Pandyas. Colachel was under Pandyas during the 8th century A.D. It is said that a Pandya king Srivallabha, had a son 'Manakulachala' who got married with Manabharana a Kerala Princess.1 The following genealogical table speaks about it. In the beginning of the fourteenth century, like other south Indian states, the Pandya kingdom passed into the hands of the Mohammedens.2 The Dutch and Colachel It was pepper that drew the Dutch East India Company to Kerala in the middle of the 17th century. With the capture of Portuguese strongholds at Kochi during 1661-63, the Dutch became the masters of the coastline. Like the Portuguese they avoided territorial conquests and throughout their career in Kerala, which lasted till the closing years of the 18th century. The Dutch involvement in local politics was minimal. The conflicts that they had with the Zamarin of Kozhikode in 1718 and Marthanda Varma of

Tiruvitamkur in 1739-41 were exceptions and not the general characteristic of Dutch policy in Kerala.Trade was their sole concern and from their headquarters at Kochi the Dutch tried to close all inlets to other competitors through a naval cordon. Exclusive agreements were entered into with local rulers for the annual supply of fixed quantities of pepper at low prices and the native merchants could export limited quantities of the spice only with the consent of the Dutch. Dutch passes were essential for an easy transit through the sea. In all these as well as the construction of forts and factories the Dutch followed the Portuguese example close to a finish. Dutch factories spotted the coast at Kanyakumari, Tengapattanam (very near to Colachel), Kollam, Kayamkulam,Purakkad, Kochi, Kannur, etc. With the exception of Kollam and Kochi, which were fortified establishments, these factories were meant forbuying pepper and were also sales outlets for Dutch imports from Indonesia and elsewhere. Forts and factories, however, did not fulfill the expectations that the Dutch East India Company had about Malabar trade. Writing in 1677 Van Rheede, the Dutch Governor of Kochi, noted that local trade was not profitable enough to make up for the heavy expenditure on garrisons, forts and factories. The obvious reason for it, according to him, was that while the trade north of Kochi had been opened to Moors and other Europeans, the trading in the south also eluded all efforts of the Dutch to keep it a closed circuit to their advantage.In the first quarter of the 18th century the Dutch pepper bonanza was cut short by the emergence of Kozhikode as the center of northern trade.Most of Dutch pepper had been forthcoming from Purakkad, Kayamkulam, Karunagappally, Kollam and Travancore. Thekkenkoor and its environs seem to have been the feeder to Purakkad factory, Karthikappally to that of Kayakmkulam, Pesa or Pandarathuruthu to the Dutch depot at Karunagappally and Eleyadathu Swarupam to that of Kollam. Though Travancore was capable of supplying two shiploads of pepper, deliveries from that Kingdom had become irregular since 1727.For long the Dutch had been buying their pepper in the south. So the pressure of Kozhikode market alone cannot be viewed as the sole cause for the dwindling pepper. It all began in 1731 with Marthanda Varma of Travancore (1729-58) trying the traditional ruse of disputes over successions and boundaries to further his plans of expansion. Difficulties experienced by pepper merchants owing to the fighting between Kollam and Travancore were noted by Adriaan Maaten, the Dutch governor of Kochi, during his tour of the South in July, 1733. These would have been the reasons for his offer to the warring chiefs to mediate for settling their differences and for deputing the emissaries, William Feling, Abraham Van De Welle, Ezechiel Rhabbi and Brouwer to Kayamkulam in the second week of May, 1734 to negotiate with Travancore though both moves failed to click. By October, 1734 deliveries by Kayamkulam merchants came to be delayed regularly. Supplies from Kollam began to be scanty and out of the contracted amount of '1012 candies for 1733-34 only 709 candies were delivered.The destruction of crops in the war with Travancore made it difficult for the Kollam merchants to fulfill their agreements with the Dutch. The sudden annexation of Eleyadathu Swarupam, the largest pepper producing area in South Kerala, by Travancore early in 1737 clinched the issue for the Dutch, and a confrontation with Marthanda Varma became inevitable with the latter's refusal in 1739 to supply any pepper from Eleyadathu Swarupam and Karungappally. No spectacular battles on land or sea marked the Dutch conflict with Travancore during 1739-41 and it ended in the discomfiture of the Dutch at Colachel in August 1741. A direct outcome of the Dutch fiasco at Colachel was the take over of pepper trade by Travancore and this development was to have serious repercussions on the Dutch and the trading world of Kerala at large. Though a small beginning was made in 1740 with pepper sales at Thuckalay market in South Travancore, it was in 1743 that Travancore banned free trading in pepper and directed the merchants to deliver the same to the State. Colachel under the Travancore Rule

The Modern History of the Colachel begins with the rule of Balamarthandavarma who ascended the throne in the year 1729 AD. Sree Veera Eravi Varma assumed the sovereignty, and governed the kingdom for twenty four years, and on his highness' death in 703 M.E, King Marthanda Vurmah succeeded him and ruled for nine years.During the time of this assessing the political conditions were unstable due to rebellions and the incessant in roads made by the Nayak forces. This unsuitability of the Government gave free hand to the feudal barons such as 'Yokkikars and Euttivittil pillamars' to take advantage and assert their independence. But Marthandavarma put a check by his determined action to subdue the rebels by seeking the assistance of the English EastIndia Company and the Nayaks of Madura, meanwhile the feudal barons took up the cause of Padmanabha Thambi and Raman Thambi the two son of the previous king, who conspired to capture the throne of Travancore, they were captured at Nagercoil and executed.However, the Dutch were relentless in the pursuit and attacked Travancore from the south and captured the region extendingfrom Colachel to Kottar. This consequent posed a threat to Kalkulam.The Southern head quarters of Marthanda Varma. But Marthanda Varma once again proved his ability by meeting the Dutch in the battlefield at Colachel on August 10th 1741.Which proved to be a death knell to the Dutch and also made them revert to their original position (i.e.) as traders and allowed them to retain the territory. Another feather to his cap was the conquest of Kayankulam and states at Malabar. The Dutch never exercised any political authority in Travancore. Their desire was only to cajole the rulers and secure trading rights in respect of their favourite commodities. Nor were the Dutch in any better position so far as Travancore was concerned. Many were the battles in which they sustained defeat at the hands of King Marthanda Varma.While the Dutch merchants threatened to invade the territories of Travancore, Maharaja Marthanda Varma gave an effective reply that he would invade Holland in case they misbehaved in Malabar.4 The difference lies in the fact that the Maharaja took the doughty attitude when the Dutch threatened him with an invasion for political and commercial reasons as distinguished from demanding concessions to the Christians. Monopoly on spices From very remote ages the spices of Southern Asia have been an attraction for adventurous explores. Malabar with its cardamoms, ginger, nutmeg, turmeric and pepper has been the center of trade even from the time of the Romans. For a very long period the world's supply of spices came from the wild growths in their natural habitat. The increase in demand tempted people to take to the spices was for a pretty long time restricted by the system of State monopoly established by the Dutch Government in the principal centers of production. According to one authority, the Dutch law in regard to spice cultivation was so severe that the offence of cultivation the plants on private lands or the destruction of plants belonging to the Government was punishable with death.5 Objective of their coming The Dutch came to India allured by notions of commercial profit more than by motives of philanthropy to save the souls of those who venerated the name of Jesus Christ.Relationship with Christians In 1663 the Dutch captured Quilon and Cochin and all quit immediately.7 The Jesuits and the Carmelitie swere equally under the ban. The Dutch were engrossed in their own affairs, commercial and political. Self-interest, however, induced them not merely to take possession of the Latin Churches in Cochin but also to exact a promise from the clergy that they would on no account pay allegiance to Portugal Maharaja Marthanda Varma (1729-1758 A.D.) met the expenses of building the Udayagiri church at the request of D'Lannoy and granted a salary of one hundred fanams to the vicar.10 He was even extending his territories northwards was friendly to the Carmelites. He paid a visit to Varapuzha accompanied by General D'Lannoy.11

Anjengo - Chief Settlement of the Dutch in Travancore The English at Anjengo burnt the Dutch factory there, saying that it had given cover to one of their enimies.12 Between 1715 and 1716 a large force arrived in Malabar from Batavia under the command of Jacobz, the Councillor Extraordinary, who notified his arrival to all the Malabar princes. Encouraged by their successes in other parts of Malabar, the Dutch resolved to strike at the English at Anjengo which was then their chief settlement in Travancore. The first connection of the Dutch Interest in the expansion of trade in the EastFrom the beginning the Dutch government took a deep interest in the expansion of trade in the east. The Dutch struck at the Portuguese by destroying their fleet near Bantam in the East Indian in 1602, Goa, the chief Portuguese settlement in the west coast of India, was threatened. The first connection of the Dutch with Malabar was the treaty they negotiated with the zamorin as early as 1604.14 By this treaty, the Dutch were allowed to trade at Calicut and to build a fort for their protection. Before 1610 A.D they captured the Moluccas in the east.15 Having made themselves a power in Java, they fixed their capital at Batavia in 1619.16 The rivalry between the Dutch and the English in the east was great and the latter were obliged to abandon their projects of supremacy in the east. Some years later, the Dutch captured Malaya from the Portuguese. They had expelled the Portuguese from Ceylon In the middle of the century they had founded a colony at the Cape of Good Hope.In 1641 the Portuguese were obliged to surrender to the Dutch their exclusive claim to the spice trade.17 Thus the Dutch were enabled to have a free play in the Far East. Consequently the English decided to concentrate their energy on the mainland of India. They sought to obtain trading privileges in India from the Moghul emperor's court had opened to them the highway of royal favour. The earliest English settlement in India was Surat on the west coast.18 In 1611 they founded a factory at Masulipatam on the east coast. In 1616 they entered into an agreement with the Zamorin.19 From 1622 India and the Persion Gulf lay open to them.20 The English had to fight the Dutch as well as the Portuguese at the commencement, but the former become their sworn enemies on the decline of the authority and influence of the latter. In 1639 one of the Masulipatanam factors, Francis Day obtained a small strip of land at Madras from the Raja of Chandragiri.21 Having thus obtained a foothold in the south, the English looked about for sites for new settlements. In 819 M.E. / 1644 A.D. permission was obtained from the king of Travancore to build a factory at Vilinjam, eight miles south of Trivandrum.22 This was the earliest English settlement in this state. On the death of Unni Kerala Varma, Ravi Varma who as co-regent was directly interesting himself in the concerns of South Travancore, became sole sovereign.23 Notwithstanding the occasional interruptions of the Madura forces he was able to maintain his authority. In 834 M.E. / 1659 A.D., he seems to have been residing in the new palace at Bhuthapandi in Kanyakumari district. An inscription of that year testifies to his deep interest in the condition of the cultivators of the temple lands.24 He issued a sympathetic mandate to relieve them. It may be noted that the cadjan edict referred to above granting remission of taxes on account of the Nayak invasion was issued by him from the palace at Kalkulam.25 Ravi Varma appears to have ruled the kingdom efficiently as well. It was during the reign of this monarch that the enterprise of the Dutch in the Malabar waters took definite shape.Their political intrigues caused the Portuguese the friendship of Cochin. In that state there arose a dispute between two branches of the ruling royal house. The Portuguese espoused the cause of one of them.26 The dispossessed branch had the support of the Zamorin of Calicut besides the Rajas of Thekkumkur, Vadakkumkur and Edappalli. The Paliyath Achan, a powerful Nayar chief tainwas also insecret league with them. He favoured the expulsion of the Portuguese who had become the dominant power in the government of the state,reducing not only his influence as the minister, but also the authority of the king himself to the vanishing point. The Achan advised Vira Kerala Varma to seek the assistance of the Dutch, paying a visit to Ceylon for the purpose. This was done and the Dutch governor Van Goens, was glad to take advantage of the opportunity.27 He had orders from Batavia to seize 'all the Portuguese settlements on the west coast from Comorin northwards. Quilon, Cochin, Cannanore, Goa and Diu, and whatever other places the Portuguese may still possess there.28 The Dutch commander collected his men and embarked for Malabar. In December 1661 A.D. Van Goens appeared at the head of a felt in Quilon. On disembarking they were opposed by a large body of Nayars who were, however, obliged to yield. The Portuguese ran to the neighbouring woods. A large number of people were killed and many were wounded on both sides. The Nayars again offered a strong resistance. But the Dutch gained a victory and took possession of the palace of the Rani at Quilon. They blew up a neighbouring temple, and burnt the houses in the nearby villages. After leaving a garrison in Quilon, Van Geons processed to Cochin where 'the soldiers and all other belonging to the army leaving the place with arms and baggage flags flying, drums beating, fuses alight, musket balls in their mouth, to a place outside the town where the arms were piled before the standard of the Dutch Commander. The Dutch then entered the palace and seized Rani Gangadhara Lakshmi, the partisan of the Portuguese, and sent her in confinement to the Zamorin.30 But the Dutch had to face a new opposition by the Raja of Purakkad who came to help the Portuguese. He was also ultimately defeated and the victors were able to set upon the throne the prince whose claim they espoused.Thereupon Goda Varma of Cochin went to Travancore to seek help which, however, he was not able to secure. The capture of Cochin made the Dutch practically masters of the commerce of the Malabar coast. In 839 M.E. / 1664 A.D., Nieahoff, the Dutch Company's deputy entered into a treaty with Travancore and the other neighbouring Rajas of Kottarakkara and Karunagappalli.31 The chief articles of the agreement were that no one should be permitted to export any pepper or cinnamon out of this territory, or to sell them to any except the Dutch, and that the Dutch East Indian Company alone should have the right of importing, selling or exchanging opium. A schedule of prices was settled, due regard being paid to the share which the contracting parties should have in the customs duties. The Rani was immensely pleased by the transaction and she presented a golden bracelet to Nieuhoff when he visited her at Kallada.32 Chanda Shahib's Invasion

Just about this time, Marthanda Varma was surprised by the expedition led by Chanda Shahib as it reached 'Nanjil Nadu' at the instance of the Nawab of Arcot (AD 1740) Marthanda Varma was thrown off balance since he had to tackle the king of Kayankulam and the Dutch. So at the behest of Marthanda Varma, the shrewd Minister, Ramayyan Dalavai played an active play in bringing out a settlement with Chanda Shahib, which probably contained a huge sum of money. But by the time the understanding could be affected, Nanjilnadu almost lost everything to the invaders "Though the time honored pass of Aralvaimozhi, the rapacious host rushed in Marching through Kottaram and ravaging the places as they entered and reached iltarkad near Sucindram. The Royal force stationed at Kalkulam, the seat of the Venad ruler, could not be diverted to deep the invaders at bay, since their services over name urgently needed in the north. Flushled with triumph, the invading horde Marched straight on Sucindram. Having caused many harocs in Sucindram temple, the army proceeded to Kottar. Vadasery, Tirupotiswarm these places. It was early in the month of Chitirai, that Marthanda Varma send his men to negotiate a rapprochement with Chanda Shahib through payment of money and only then, the party with drew. Travancore's Valiyakappithan Eustachian D'lennoy Eustachian D'lennoy and Tuitan Shettu are the two junior officers. They are prepared to serve in the Travancore Army. Later when they are re-called by the Dutch Army it was not accepted by King Marthandavaram. D'lennoy and his friends were taken in the Army of King Marthandavarma. Marthandavarma made D'lennoy as the chief of his security men.

Later D'lennoy was promoted as the chief of Army (Valiyakappithan) at Padmanabhapuram.The Udayagiri Fort was constructed at the supervision of D'lennoy. D'lennoy trained the kings army as the army of foreign pattern. King Marthandavarma appreciating the service of D'lennoy, making king as the chief among the whole army and awarded him, with an award of 'Valiakappithan'. The role of D'lennoy is more in making Travancore as a big country by conquering places like Kollam, Kayankulam and Cochin. Yuwan Kisthalaiyoo, S/o. D'lennoy who served the kings army for 37 years, is sent to Kalakadu war in the year 140 (1765). The Cemetery of Yuwan who died in the Kalakadu war is seen in the Udayagiri Fort. By these, it is seen about the affection, D'lennoy had over the Travancore King Marthandavarma. The Cemetery of D'lennoy and his friends are seen in the Udayagiri Fort. The inscription of wordings inscribed in the Cemetery are collected and stated in the volume four of Kanyakumari inscription. They are stated from number 1969/12 to 1969/19. D'lennoy modernised the Travancore army, and built the Nedumkotta, a line of fortifications in the North of the Kingdom, which help up the army of Tipu Sultan in 1791, during his ill-fated invasion of Travancore. D'lennoy is buried in the Udayagiri Fort, also known as Dillanai Kotta (D'lennoy's Fort) which is located 7 km north of Padmanabhapuram, 34km from Kanyakumari and 15km from Colachel. Udayagiri Fort Also known as D'lennoy's fort was built during the regime of Marthanda Varma (1729-1758). The tomb of D'lennoy, one of the 24 Europeans captured by King Marthanda Varma when he defeated the Dutch at Colachel lies here, in the small cemetery. It also had a foundry for casting guns. Description of Colachel A beautiful town located on the shores of Arabian Sea in the southern part of Kanyakumari District in Tamil nadu. The history of this beautiful coastal town dates back to more than 2000 years to the reign of Chera Kings. The deeply entrenched and relatively youthful streams, waterfalls high hanging valleys, allwial flats and patches of marine sediment at high elevations, and the presence of elevated seachiffs near Colachel and Sucindram hear testimony to the uplift of the land mass. It is a coastal town which is 20 km away from Nagercoil, headquarters of Kanyakumari District and 59 km away from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala. Colachel was under the rule of Aai Kings, under the Pandiyas and Travancore Kings. The total area of Colachel is 5.18 square km. This sea cost town is situated about 22 km west of Nagercoil and about 7 km west of south west of Eranial.Having Simoncolony Bridge at the South West and Vettumadai in South East and Pampuri Chennel Bridge in North and Kalimar river Bridge in West and V.K.P. Hr. Secondary School in East, sea in the South are the boundaries of Colachel in the seashore municipality of Kanyakumari District.The depth of Colachel Sea is estimated as 5 meters. This seashore is very deep where ships can come very near. It was a port of call for European merchants during the 16-18th century. These vassals of the European merchants frequently visited here during that period. The Dutch and the English had their trading settlements here. In the year 1930, Town Development Committee was formed in Colachel and Padmanabhapuram. The Kovalam - Colachel Canal, popularly known as AVM Canal (Ananda Victoria Marthanda Varma Canal) which passes through this town linking upto Kanyakumari was constructed. Now it has been encroached by all. The Culture of the City Chilappathikaram, the Tamil epic refers one of the 48 countries of lemuria, otherwise known as 'Kumari Kandam', where the Dravidian civilizations known as the 'cradle of civilizations' flourished.The world renowned historical research traveler 'dalami' refers this place as a 'harbour town' in this book written in A.D 100. Marriage and social relations thrive among the people of these towns.Natural bound Himalaya's in North is India's owned specialty means South bound Colachel Seashore is also an antique of Nature. Some towns are reporting the culture of Tamilnadu, the culture of Colachel is among one. Remaining are Padmanabhapuram, Aavudaiyar Koil, Chithanna Vasel, Tirumayam, Kurinchipadi, Maruthoor, Pitchavaram, Bavani. Paroor, Karaikudy, Tiruchencode, Tirunelveli,Sriperemputhoor, Marakonam are reported in the year 1995. Before the declaration of this town some 23 towns were already declared. By the declaration of this, town are given more importance for its tourism and more attention was taken of the better care of their tourist attraction. Colachel Port

Colachel Port an Introduction The Port of Colachel is situated in latitude 8-10N and longitude 77-14E. The Port being ancient, was re-modeled during the period of Maharaja Rama Varma in the 18th century. It is the natural Port on the west coast of Tamilnadu. The Port appears like a bay steamers of about 10,000 to 15,000 tones, anchor at this Port. The Colachel Port has afforded nature amenities for shipping by its physiographical structure; a group of outlying rocks formed practical break water. Under cover of these rocks are done loading and unloading and other shipping operations.A variety of commodities is exported from here, prominent among them being Palmyra and its fibre mineral sands fish and salt. Small streamers anchor in seven fathoms of water off the shore. Small vessels anchor in about five fathoms, less than a quarter a mile off the coast the flag staff in the flag stuff compound transmits messages to the ships during the day time by international code system. There is no light signaling at this Port. A most headlight is put up in the flag stuff compound with the red screen to denote the port and another at the port become emitting white light to denote the anchorage. The latter is visible for about eight km. in clear weather there is no jetty at this Port. The warf is open beach which extends to about 300 meters in frond of the flag staff compound. Manakudy and Kovalam in the Agasthiswaram Taluk are two sub Ports attached to this Port. In this past, their port had its glory and its importance in the industrial and marine field also.It was the center for transportation of the fine cotton fibers of Kottar and Eraniel to foreign countries. Now there are two fibers factories at Colachel and finished goods are sent to Tuticorin for export. The fiber produced is graded and exported to England, USA, and other countries. Coir making is major industry of the poor classes. In 16 and 18th century this place was used by the Europeans. They have exported more goods. The British and Dutch people used this place for their commercial purpose. They have exported more goods, in that the important goods are palm fibre, Rare earth, salt, fish and rope. In Colachel, for the ships to Anchor there are some natural rocks in both sides. This rocks were even named in the period of Travancore Kings. The names are Annankal, Kizhkal or Kizha Sudukal, Kuttikal, Kurusadykal, Chadikal, Pullari, Pipathu or Paninthu Pathu, Minitangkal. Colachel Harbour was attracted by the Angelo-Indian for their Shipping Transport and Colachel was the entrance place of Anglo-Indians. Mr. Nagam Iyya, the author of Trivancore state Manual, says that there was threes, woods, birds the word is transformed as Colachel. Then having a discussion with a keralised learned man, a information was given. A channel running from northern boundary of Colachel through Kalimar via and endo in the sea at Kodimunai. This channel is called Pampuri channel. There is a salt plant on the way of this channel. Once this salt plant was the big pond. From Colachel seashore goods are exported in boats through the via of channel, that will reached the harbour Mangaru. This is denoted as Colachel. In olden days this Mangaru harbour. The Vaynadu Map prepared in the year 1729. Colachel is denoted by the Britishman as Kollaccal. The First volume book of Thiruvida Nadu written by Mr.Bala Sundaranar in the year 1949 is in two parts of Geology and Commerce. In page 99 of Book of Commerce, the harbours of Eastern seashore are noted. In these, the Colachel harbour of Travancore region is noted as small harbour of south corner. In his page 126 it is stated that ships starting from Cochin goes through Allapuzhai, Kollam, Tiruvananthapuram and reaches Tuticorin via Colachel. The country ships also goes via Colachel without stopping anywhere by these 1949 also it is seen that there is Shipping Transport in a Colachel. The Wild animals were seen in Colachel. In harbours of Travancore, the Alapuzha, Kollam, Trivandrum and Colachel harbours are the important one. In 1872 for the first time at Colachel the mechanised ship was operated.In Colachel there was a master attendant and a sub magistrate were there. This period some 13 harbours were functioning in Travancore state. Colachel is the best out of three harbours. In Colachel there is a commercial office for the commercial purpose and a office to record the atmosphere were functioning. In 1860, the collection of Taxes in harbours were regularised by the Travancore king and the rules and regulations were also regularised. The rules and regulations were formed in the year 1872 as per the survey taken for the shipping transportation in the sea and was implemented in the very same year. Regularisation of the tax collection was introduced at Alapuzha in the year 1874 and at Colachel in 1878. For exportation and fishing the Colachel sea was good for six months and for six months. The period from 15th October to April 15th the sea is calm. Hence this period is favour for the ship to reach Colachel and the period from April 16th to October 14th the sea is very rough and this period is not favour for the ships to reach Colachel. By these reason this harbour is called as Season Harbour. The habit of lighting, lights, in the seashore of Colachel was in practice for the ship to reach shore but now these practice is not followed. Two big Poles painted with black and white colours were erected in two sides of the seashore of two Furlong distance, for the ship stand in a position with the help of anchor. The nations economy will be developed by its sea Transportation. Some thousands of men will get employment opportunity. Sea Transportation is more easier than the Air Transportation and more safer than the surface Transportation. In India five big harbours at Tuticorin, Chennai, Visahapattinam, Orissa and Culcutta are there and in western seashore. There is six big harbours at Cochin, Mangalore. Marma Goa, Bombay, Bombay Jawaharlal harbour and Gujarat Contala are there. Moreover more than 100 small harbours are also there.In this, without making any alteration and is used for shipping as it is naturally is called natural harbour. In this, the Colachel harbour is the best one. Colachel harbour which was attracted by the foreigners prior to the history was exporting rare earths from Manavalakurichy. While implementing development schemes at harbours exportations were made in big scales, it is useful to reach more ship and to do business at a time by giving more employments. It is to be noted, that the ship pathway is there in Colachel. Vatge Bank of more fish in the world is there in very near to Colachel.Agreement was made on 26th June 2000 in the estimate of 1900 crores for the first phorse of expansion work.Survey was conducted by the Govt. to expand the Colachel harbour according to Rules and Laws and crores of rupees were spend, and the survey report was given to Malasiyan Government.It is proposed to construct a sea protection walls of 3.5 km in the Colachel harbour with five berth and it is proposed to expand this to 7 km length with 28 berth. It is proposed to finish in the year 2006 for the prepaid zone of handling, commercial ships. In the year 2026 it is proposed to complete the whole expansion work of estimated plans with the estimation of 8400 crores of rupees.It is agreed that the whole expanses of the expansion work is to be meet out by the Malasiyan Government and further it is agreed for 30 years. That the administration of the harbour is to be administered by the Malasiyan Government. For there 1200 hectar lands was demanded by the Central Government for these expansion work. And shifting the residents from this place is to be undertaken by the State Government of Tamilnadu and further it was agreed to provide all other amenities, regarding this harbour expansion work is to be provided by the state government of Tamilnadu. The Colachel Sea Coast is 600 meter in length and 19 meter in deep. Though Colachel is situated in a place where ship can be reached easily from Western Harbours. For the past some years when the force of the wind over the Colachel seashore is tested, it is seen about more symptom of rough wind. A series of rocks situated in the Colachel sea is the reason for its natural realities. By these rocks only in part days import and export were being conducted. In Tamilnadu the only natural harbour is Colachel. The total area of Kanyakumari District is 6684.4 sq.kilometer. The 44 fisherman villages of Kanyakumari District is from Nerodi to Arokiapuram of Leepuram. The total length of seashore in Kanyakumari District is 68 Kilometer. The seashore of Colachel, combined with Kottilpadu and Colachel fisherman village is 3 kilometer in length. Colachel and Salt Plant In Colachel the total area of Salt Plant is 95 acres. Now the reduced area of Salt Plant which is encroached by the encroachers is almost closed, because of lease problem. In 1891 and 1892 also salt plant was temporary closed. Mr. Velu Pillai has written in his book of Travancore Government about the office of Deputy Ferishcar functioning and issuing Licence produce salt and supervising salt administration are his duty. The written history of Kanyakumari District says about the salt plant of Rajakkamangalam and Colachel which are in existence from olden days. The production of salt is one of major product of Kanyakumari District. In Kerala, the need of salt is fulfilled by the salt plants of Kanyakumari District. From Kanyakumari to Colachel some 3,000 men are involved in Salt production. The salt plants of Thamaraikulam, Puthalam, Kovalam, Palkulam, Thatarippu, Rajakkamangalam and Colachel are the major salt plants of Kanyakumari District. Now the salt plant of Colachel is not functioning. The 95 acres of salt plant is encroached by the encroachers. Moreover if the salt plant which are closed of lease problem is taken up by the Government, it will be helpful for the development of Colachel municipality. Moreover when the water of Bampuri Channel is stored in the salt plant by Converting it into big pond. The people of Colachel will be more thankful for this. The alum at Colachel was temporarily closed in 1067 M.E (1891-92) and remaining alum's were placed under the personal supervision of the Deputy perishlcar salt culture was carried on the licensees under the supervision of this officer till the organization of the Excise Department in 1080 M.E (1904-5). Salt Manufacturers is an old time industry mainly concentrated in Kanyakumari and Colachel areas. These salt factories are known as 'Aloms' which three are located in variyur, palkalam and Thattarippu Odai on the cast coast and remaining factories in Rajakkamangalam and in Colachel areas along the west coast. Fisheries Fishing is an important source of livelihood in the district. The Maritime district of Kanyakumari has a coast line of 68 km, covering west and east coasts including Colachel there are about 44 villages along the Kanyakumari coast, in which fishing is predominant. The total population of the fisherfolk in 1986 was 1,14,897. About 510 mechanized and 12,737 non-mechanized fishing crafts are available in the district. This total annual average catch of fish is around 62,400 tones, which contributes app. 25% of the total catch of state.There is an Asst. Director of fisheries Fishing Training center is situated in Colachel for the development of fisheries in Colachel coast area.A verity of Fish is exported to Sri Lanka and plantains, vegetables, coconut, timber, pepper and rubber are sect to Kerala. And other parts of Tamilnadu Coir products cashew kernels and brushes are exported to foreign countries.

1.Pandiyan Cheppedugal Pattu, International Institute of Tamil Studies, Chennai, 1995, pp. 3-6. 2.P.A. Wadia, A School History of India, p. 52. 3.T.K Velu Pillai, The Travancore State Mannual, Vol.I, Trivandrum, 1996, p.18. 4.Ibid., p.19. 5.V. Nagam Aiya, The Ttavancore State Manual, Vol. I, Trivandrum, 1940, pp.225-26. 6.T.K. Velu Pillai, Op.cit., Vol. I p.652. 7.V. Nagam Aiya, Op.cit., Vol. I, p.703. 8.Ibid. 9.T.K. Velu Pillai, Op.cit., pp.703-704. 10.Ibid., Vol. I, p.16. 11.Ibid., p.759. 12.Francis Day, The Land of the Perumals, p.52. 13.T.K. Velu Pillai, Op.cit., Vol. II, pp.245-246. 14.K.M. Panikkar, Malabar and the Dutch, p. 2. 15.T.K. Velu Pillai, Op,cit., Vol. II, p. 194. 16.Ibid. 17.A. Sreedhara Menon, A Survey of Kerala History, p. 80. 18.K.M. Panikkar, Op.cit., p. 2. 19.T.K. Velu Pillai, Op.cit., Vol. III, p. 195. 20.Ibid. 21.V. Nagam Aiya, Op.cit., Vol. I, p. 302. 22.T.K. Velu Pillai, Op.cit., Vol. II, p. 195. 23.V. Nagam Aiya, Op.cit., Vol. I, . 303. 24.T.A.S., Vol. VII, p. 91. 25.Ibid. 26.K.M. Panikkar, Malabar and the Portuguese, pp. 155-161. For further details vide Padappattu No. V of the Sri Mulam Series. 27.T.K. Velu Pillai, Op.cit., Vol. II, p. 196. 28.Ibid., p. 197. 29.Churchill's Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. II, pp. 215-16. 30.T.K. Velu Pillai, Op.cit., Vol. II, p. 197., 31.T.K. Velu Pillai, Op.cit., Vol. II, pp. 197-201. 32.Ibid., p. 201.

This is an part of my dissertation submitted to annamalai university in the year of 2005, under guidance of Dr. Bagavathy Perumal, S.T Hindu collage, Nagercoil. Meanwhile My works on SEA HISTORY OF KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT was waiting for approval from Lancaster University , U.K., If I Obtained (In.Al.) i'l update it. I hope This Thesis will support your need of basic knowledge about Colachel history. Thankyou.