| Karaikal | |
|
|
|
| Coordinates | 10°55′47″N 79°50′11″E / 10.9296°N 79.8365°E |
| Country |  India |
| Territory | Puducherry |
| District(s) | Karaikal |
| Population | 170,643 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Karaikal (Tamil: காரைக்கால், kāraikkāl, also Karikal or Karaikkal) is a city and a municipality in Karaikal district in the Union Territory of Puducherry, India. Several explanations are offered for the word 'Karaikal'. The imperial Gazetteer gives it the meaning 'fish pass'. According to Julien vinson the town is said to have known as Karaigiri in Sanskrit. However, the name Karaikal is no doubt a combination of two words 'Karai' and 'Kal'. Both the words ‘Karai and 'Kal' have several meanings, of which the more acceptable ones are 'lime mix' and 'canal' respectively. Hence it has been suggested that the name may mean a canal built of lime mix. However, no trace of such a canal is evident now.
Contents |
History
Kingdom of Thanjavur
Before 1739 Karaikal was under the regime and control of Raja Pratap Singh of Tanjore. In 1738, Dumas, a shrewd calculative prudent man and a lover of peace and above all one who was anxious to extend the French territory in India by smooth means, negotiated with Sahuji of Thanjavur for possession of Karaikal, the fortress of Karakalcheri and 5 village for 40000 chakras. On 14.2.1739 the French took possession of Karaikal town, the fort of Karakalcheri and 8 dependent villages. The King of Thanjavur raised the price for the town of Karaikal and the fort of Karakalcheri to 50000 chakras.
He also demanded a loan of 150000 chakras without interest repayable in 3 years against the hypothecation of Mayavaram lands and an annual rent of 4000 pagodas for 5 villages. The French agreed to all the terms except for the payment of 150000 chakras which was reduced to 10000 chakras while the annual rental was reduce to two or three thousand chakras. The villages so received were Kilaiyur, Melaiyur, Puduthurai, Kovilpathu and Tirumalairayanpattinam. Subsequently 2 villages were ceded to the French. Pratap Singh who succeeded the throne renewed demand for a loan of 100000 chakra and on receipt of the first instalment of 4000 chakras he assigned 8 more villages to the French viz., Codague (Kondagai), Vanjiyur, Arimullimangalam, Niravi, Dharmapuram, Uzhiapathu, Mattakudi (probably Mathalangudi) and Polagam. Then on 12-2-1740 he sold for 60000 chakras these villages which he had assigned only the previous year for 40000 chakras.
French Colony
The same year he pledged Thirunallar Mahanam for 55350 chakras and also pledged 33 villages for 60000 chakras. By a treaty signed on 12.1.1750 Pratap Singh ceded to the French 81 villages around Karaikal and cancelled the annual rent of 2000 pagodas payable for the villages. This was all the territory the French possessed around Thanjavur when they surrendered to the British in 1761. The territory then passed twice to the British control before it was finally handed over to the French in 1816/1817 under the Treaty of Paris, 1814.
Independence Struggle
The formation of Karaikal national congress on 13.6.1947 and Students Congress on 31.1.1947 symbolised the first concrete expression of popular desire in Karaikal for freedom from French rule. The French ruled this district till 31 October, 1954 on which date the French flag flying atop the government house at Karaikal was lowered with due military honors before a large gathering of officials and non-officials. Thus the de facto transfer of power took place on 1 November 1954 followed by de jure transfer on 16 August 1962. Until 1 November, 1954, it was under French rule.
Part of India
Though the Territory was handed over to the Republic of India on November 1, 1954 Karikal's municipal administration was continued pursuant to the Arrêté dated March 8, 1880. This was replaced by the promulgation of the Pondicherry Municipality Act, 1973, with effect from January 26, 1974. Mr. Gaudart was the first Mayor of Karaikal in 1884 and Mr. V. Govindarajan was the last elected Mayor of Karaikal up to 1979. V.Govindarajan (well known as VG) was one of the main public person who brought a lot to his town. He was twice Mayor of Karaikal, President of the Congress Party of the Puducherry state, President of Karaikal Rotary Club, President of the Thirunallar temple Devasthanam and he ended up his political career as Pondicherry State Minister of Agriculture and Local Administration between 85 and 90.
Geography
- Location
Karaikal is a small coastal enclave of territory which was formerly part of French India. Together with the other former French enclaves of Puducherry (formerly known as Pondicherry), Yanam, and Mahé, Karaikal forms the Union Territory of Puducherry. Karaikal is bounded on the North and South by Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu state, on the west by Tiruvarur district (also belonging to Tamil Nadu), and on the East by the Bay of Bengal. The enclave is located 132 km south of the city of Puducherry, 158 km west of Trichy and is known for its rich cultural heritage.
- 2004 Tsunami
On the 26th of December 2004 , Karaikal faced its worst tragedy in recent memory. Tsunami waves hit this coastal town and more than 500 people, mostly fishermen and their families, were washed away by the killer waves.
- Rivers
The main branches of Kaveri below Grand Anicut are the Kodamurutti, Arasalar, Virasolanar and the Vikramanar. Although Arasalar and its branches spread through Karaikal, the waters of Kodamurutti and Virasolanar also meet the irrigation needs of the region
- Topography
Forming part of the fertile Cauveri delta the region is completely covered by the distributaries of Cauveri. Covered completely by a thick mantle of alluvium of variable thickness, the lie of the region is flat having a gentle slope towards the Bay of Bengal in the east. It is limited on the north by the Nandalar and on the south-east by the Vettar. The group of rocks known as Cuddalore formations is met with in the area contiguous to Karaikal region in Nagappattinam District.
Culture
Located 132 km south of the city of Pondicherry, 300 Km south of the city of Madras and 150 km east of Thiruchi. Karaikal is known for its rich religious heritage, and is a destination for those seeking leisure and serenity. The town enjoys a harmonious society comprising of Hindus, Muslims, Christians and people of other religious persuasions. Tamil is the predominant native language of the people. As the area was formerly a French possession, the French language is also found, especially among the elder generation.
Karaikal is known all over the country for its unique and the only temple devoted to the Lord Saneeswara (Lord Saturn) at Thirunallar. Karaikal is the Gateway to various places of worship in the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. Two famous shrines, Velankanni for Christians and Nagore for Muslims are nearby Karaikal. The French flavour still persists in the peaceful land of Karaikal.
In Tirumalairayanpattinam, there is a famous temple called Ayirankaliamman temple, ayiram means 1000. We can see this god once in 5 years, because whatever offerings are given to this god, it should be 1008. So they will open for 3 days once in 5 years, and many devotees from all over tamilnadu and puducherry will come and worship.
Economy
Karaikal port is a new deep sea water port being constructed in Vanjore near Karaikal. More than 600 acres of land was leased out to MARG corporation in year 2005 for 30 years and can be renewed for every 10 years thereafter. The port will have a total of nine perths and is constructed for primary transport of coal, textile and cement. The Karaikal port is intended to primarily handle cement and coal to serve the hinterland in Ariyalur, Perambalur and Tiruchi. The port is also expected to provide an alternative to the Chennai and Tuticorin ports, which are the major ports in the coastline but are separated by long distance. Further, Karaikal is in the middle of the Tamil Nadu coast, midway between the two deepwater ports of Chennai and Tuticorin.
Most of the people in town are office bearers and other sources of town people's income is of petty business. The prominent source of income to the district is of agriculture. The other main source is of liquor as the tax is less and the cost is almost half when compared to neighbouring state of Tamilnadu. It is one of the towns in South India with high cost of living due to French NRI's presence.
Educational Institutions
Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census[1], Karaikal town had a population of 105,333. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Karaikal has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 68%. In Karaikal, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Special places
- Karaikal Beach, which has long river side walk, light house and pleasant bay watch.
- Lord Saneeshwara Temple at Thirunallar, Karaikal
- Aayiram Kaliamman temple at T.R. Pattinam.
- Karaikal Port.
- Karaikal Ammayar Temple.
- The church of Our Lady of Angels built in 1891.
- Mastan Syed Dawood dargah, Karaikal.
Special Places Near Karaikal
- The famous Abirami amman temple at Thirukadaiyur, 16 km north of Karaikal.
- Lord Singaravelavar temple at Sikkal, 24 km from karaikal.
- Annai Velankanni Church (TN): Famous Christian Pilgrim Shrine, 26 km from Karaikal.
- Nagore Andavar Dargah (TN): Muslim Pilgrim Centre, located 10 km south of Karaikal.
- Danish Fort (TN), Tanquebar. Around 12 km north to Karaikal.
- Tranquebar. The place where "world's first printing press" were started by Bartholomew Ziegenbalg, in 1706.
References
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
External links
See also
- French India
- French colonial empire
- French East India Company
- Municipal Administration in French India
- Causes for Liberation of French colonies in India
- Marakkar
- Karaikal Carnival
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
