THE ARRIVAL OF THE DUTCH

The second part of Perumpatappu Granthavari, published by the Archives at Ernakulam, commences with the advent of Dutch to this coast and contains more definite details about some of the events in which that nation played an important part in shaping the destiny of this State.

 

In 1662, the Dutch arrived in Kochi. They were interested in trade and business only and were least interested in colonising this country and were not concerned about propagating their religion among locals. They did not allow the Jessuit and Fransciscan missionaries, who were annoying and harassing the local Ancient Christians and they destroyed the documents, books, libraries and church records and packed the missionaries from this country.

 

During the Dutch period (1662-1792,) they created conditions favourable for the revival of Kerala trade. New products and scientific techniques of cultivation were introduced with a view to improving the agricultural economy. They introduced the Dutch way of ‘Below Sea Level’ cultivation of paddy in Kuttanad Region, which was followed in Chathamma, one of the Islands of Kumbalam Village. Coconut trees were extensively cultivated on the Kerala coast and on the bunds of paddy fields under Dutch auspices. In order to give a fillip to coconut cultivation improved seeds and scientific methods of cultivation were popularized. Coconut palms which yielded low were cut down. Vypin Island and Venduruthi were specially chosen by the Dutch to carry out their experiments in coconut cultivation and their success in these places inspired the people to copy the Dutch example and take to large scale coconut cultivation. The Dutch also gave encouragement for the cultivation of paddy and indigo. They brought good quality seedlings from Surat and sowed in Ernakulam, Alangad, Venduruthi and Verapoly. Local fishermen were trained in indigo cultivation. New industries like salt farming and dyeing were also introduced by the Dutch. The local rulers took to salt manufacture on an extensive scale and made enormous profits following the example of the Dutch. The Dutch imported into Kerala several expert dyers from Tuticorin and gave them all conveniences and facilities to settle down in Kerala such as Cochin, Quilon, Anjengo, Colachal and Thengapatanam hummed with brisk activity consequent upon the revival of Kerala economy under the Dutch. They implemented several measures to improve the yield of pepper and cardamom as well. The Dutch introduced the procurement of agricultural produce in huge go-downs.

 

          The greatest achievement of the Dutch in the cultural field was, perhaps, the compilation of the monumental botanical work, “Horts Malabaricus,” which literally means “the wealth of flora in Malabar.” It was published from Amsterdam between 1678 and 1703. There is a description of 780 plants in Latin with 781 diagrams in 1616 pages spreading across the 12 volumes. It deals in detail the medicinaal properties of the plants in Malabar and the book contains pictures of all the trees, shrubs and herbs. The names of plants are furnished in Malayalam, Konkani, Portuguese and Dutch languages. The detailed study of the flora of Kerala was compiled under the patronage of Admiral Van Rheede and among those who were associated with the great project were the Carmelite Monk Mathaeus, Ranga Bhatt, Vinayaka Pandit, Appu Bhatt, and Itti Achuthan Vaidyan (Kollat family in Cherthala,) an Ayurvedic physician.

 

The Dutch played a key role in improving the trade and commerce in Kerala. Vessels from Muscat brought dates, perfumes, incence sticks, asafoetida, Kadukka, Eratti madhuram, ghee, butter, Fish, semi-precious stones, salt, gum, red cloth and Copper nitrate. The export to Muscat included sugar, spices, iron, sandal, cardamom, wood works, dry ginger, turmeric, castor seed, crockery, rice, coconut, incence, camphor, coconut fiber and coir. They introduced large vessels, ‘Kettu-vallangal’ to transport goods through the inland waterways of Vembanad Backwaters. During this period Kochi became a renowned port in the world. Europeans imported coconut oil for the production of wax and soaps. The increase in trade and commerce reflected in the uprising of the middle class. The nouve-riche started to purchase properties and build large houses and started to exhibit their wealth.

 

In 1755, Ramayyan Dalawa, at the instance of His Highness Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, Maharaja (1729-58) of the erstwhile state of Travancore, annexed Karappuram (Cherthala Taluk,) and then Kumbalam became the southern boundary of the State of Cochin. Still there are boundary stones, laid with the inscription “KO-THI” in Malayalam (“KO” on the northern side and “THI” on southern side of the stones popping out in the mid backwaters,) situated in between Kumbalam and Arookutty to demarcate the boundary of erstwhile states of Kochi and Travancore.

 

The second part of Perumpatappu Granthavari, published by the Archives at Ernakulam, ends with the conquest of Malabar by Haider Ali in 1766 and the State itself becoming a tributary to him. In 1773-74, Haider’s army occupied territories belonging to Zamorin; and demanded large sums from Cochin. The Kochi Raja requested the Dutch Governor to depute a few Captains to Haider’s camp to tell him that in view of the friendship and the alliance existing between the Company and the Raja, the Company would feel grieved by such demands. But the Governor turned a deaf ear and declined even to send a communicatiom to Haider on the subject. The Governor was of the opinion that as Haider was very powerful; the more prudent course would be to be conciliatory. Further the Company could not afford to render any help. The Raja, therefore, decided to yield to the demands and pay whatever money he could to save the country from being conquered and subjugated by Haider.

Excerpts from

 

MEMOIRS

 

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com