History On/Of Oars: Contextualising the Genesis of Aquatic Networks in British Malabar

Abstract

Malabar, which was a part of colonial Madras Presidency, had adorned an important position in the mercantile history of the British in the West Coast.  The region, once ruled by mutually competing petty ruling houses, came to the imperial yoke of the British in the backdrop of Mysorean and English conflict.  Even before the coming of the British in the region, it already had a space in the mercantile activities.  The agricultural production in the eastern part of the district had attracted Westerly attentions and even the Portuguese anchored this littoral tract to reap the fruits of the trade fortunes.  The British too had followed those footsteps and they made it as a trade emporium in the western coast.  The British could make substantial profit from Malabar trade.  In the initial years they had used the then prevailed riverine channels for commodity transportation.  There were hue and cry for the strengthening of these riverine channels into aquatic networks for the smooth and easy flow of commercial products.  Despite their initial hesitation, the colonial state made certain remarkable construction in Malabar.  Such constructions made Malabar as an epitome of aquatic network.  Certain British officials and bureaucrats have played a crucial role in the emergence of aquatic networks in Malabar.