1. Introduction
✔ Pulicat is a historic port town located on the Tamil Nadu–Andhra Pradesh border.
✔ It is known for Pulicat Lake, the second-largest brackish water lake in India.
✔ It was a major Dutch trading center in the 17th century.
2. Historical Significance
✔ Early History
- Part of Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara empires.
- Used for maritime trade with Southeast Asia.
✔ Portuguese Rule (16th Century)
- The Portuguese established a trading post in 1515.
- They controlled trade but later lost influence.
✔ Dutch Rule (1609–1825)
- Dutch East India Company (VOC) took over Pulicat in 1609.
- Pulicat became the Dutch headquarters in India until they shifted to Nagapattinam.
- Major center for textiles, spices, and slave trade.
- The Dutch built Fort Geldria (1613) for defense.
✔ British Takeover (1825)
- The British East India Company took control in 1825, marking the end of Dutch influence.
3. Pulicat and European Powers
| European Power | Year of Arrival | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| Portuguese | 1515 | Established a trading post |
| Dutch | 1609 | Built Fort Geldria, made Pulicat their HQ |
| British | 1825 | Took control from the Dutch |
4. Trade and Economy
✔ Pulicat was famous for:
- Textiles (Pulicat chintz) exported to Europe.
- Pearl fishing and spice trade.
- Slave trade, where the Dutch exported slaves to Southeast Asia.
5. Decline of Pulicat
✔ Declined after the British took over in 1825.
✔ Madras (Chennai) replaced Pulicat as a major British port.
✔ Silting of Pulicat Lake reduced its importance as a port.
✔ Abolition of slave trade affected its economy.
6. MCQs on Pulicat
- Which European power first established trade in Pulicat?
- (a) British
- (b) Dutch
- (c) Portuguese
- (d) French
- Answer: (c) Portuguese
- Which European power made Pulicat their headquarters in India?
- (a) British
- (b) Dutch
- (c) Portuguese
- (d) French
- Answer: (b) Dutch
- What was Fort Geldria?
- (a) A Mughal fort
- (b) A Portuguese fort
- (c) A Dutch fort
- (d) A British fort
- Answer: (c) A Dutch fort
- When did the British take over Pulicat from the Dutch?
- (a) 1757
- (b) 1609
- (c) 1825
- (d) 1857
- Answer: (c) 1825
- What was Pulicat famous for in trade?
- (a) Tea and coffee
- (b) Textiles and slave trade
- (c) Silver and gold
- (d) Pottery and woodwork
- Answer: (b) Textiles and slave trade
7. Subjective Questions on Pulicat
- Discuss the role of Pulicat in Dutch trade in India.
- Explain the significance of Fort Geldria in Pulicat’s history.
- Why did Pulicat decline as a trade center?
- Describe the impact of the European colonial powers on Pulicat.
- How did the British take over Pulicat from the Dutch?
Summary:
- Pulicat was a major port under the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.
- The Dutch made it their first headquarters in India (1609).
- It was famous for textiles, pearl fishing, and slave trade.
- Declined after the British took over in 1825.
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