Weavers' Settlements and Colonial Trade in 17th-18th Century Madras
By J. Sumathi
Summary
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Madras emerged as a significant commercial hub under the English East India Company, driven by the trade of Indian textiles like cotton weaves and calico. Key merchants, including Beeri Timmanna Chettiar, Velu Mari, Kasi Viranna Gnanapandaram, and Andiyappa Narayanan, dominated commercial activities. Weavers’ settlements flourished in areas like Santhome, Mylapore, Peddanaickenpetta, and Thiruvetriyur, with the Company strategically relocating artisans to ensure direct access to textiles. Famine, war, and labor disputes disrupted the industry, while caste-based organizations resisted colonial taxes, leading to strikes and segregated settlements. The introduction of chemical dyes and British textile machinery in the late 18th and early 19th centuries further transformed production methods. By the early 20th century, handloom weaver numbers surged, reflecting Madras’s enduring role in India’s textile trade despite colonial exploitation and industrial shifts.
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Conclusion
This study highlights the complex dynamics of colonial trade and labor in 17th- and 18th-century Madras, revealing how the East India Company's textile interests shaped urban development and social hierarchies. The establishment of weavers' settlements like Santhome, Peddanaickenpetta, and Chintadripet underscores the strategic importance of cotton and calico production for global markets, while caste-based divisions among artisans influenced spatial organization and economic power structures. Famine, war, and labor disputes disrupted production, prompting colonial authorities to relocate weavers and implement paternalistic policies to maintain control. The transition from natural to chemical dyes and mechanized spinning technologies in the late 18th century marked a turning point, foreshadowing the decline of traditional handloom weaving. These outcomes reflect broader themes of exploitation, adaptation, and resistance in colonial South India, with lasting implications for Madras' economic and social landscape.