SANDHIYA MURUGESAN

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING,

ANNA UNIVERSITY

HISTORY OF PULICAT

HISTORY OF PULICAT

DISCOVER POTENTIAL SITE

PULICAT IS A SMALL COASTAL TOWN THAT IS LOCATED IN THIRUVALLUR DISTRICT ON THE CORAMANDEL COAST, TAMIL NADU.

PULICAT

Pulicat ,Also Known As Pazhaverkaddu, is a small fishing town situated 55km from the north of Chennai.

Pulicat is almost a forgotten town having a long interesting history of numerous invaders who took possession of Pulicat.

Pulicat was one of the few important sea ports 2000 years ago.

The Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandya empires traded with the Malay Peninsula and Jakarta from the shores of Pulicat.

Pulicat was a major settlement of the Dutch on the Coromandel Coast.

The history of Pulicat was not only limited to the Dutch colonialism but also to the Arabs, Portuguese and British.

HISTORY OF PULICAT

Period Rulers Of Pulicat

3rd CENTURY BCE To 3rd CE CENTURY Ancient Tamil Kingdoms

3rd To 10th CENTURY The Pallava Period & First Arab Settlement In The 9th Century

10th To 12th CENTURY The Chola Period

13th To 17th CENTURY Vijayanagara Empire & Arab Migrants

1502 To 1606 Vijayanagara Empire & Portuguese Outpost

1606 To 1825Dutch East India Company Trading Centre And Vijayanagara Empire

1825 To 1947 British Rajput Outpost

RULERS OF PULICAT

In 1605, the Dutch got trading rights in Masulipatnam.

During that time, Pulicat was famous for its textiles. They were exploited by the Dutch.

They exchanged spices from Southeast Asia with cotton textiles that was manufactured in Pulicat.

Portuguese who was the first to reach Pulicat had attacked the Dutch, when the Dutch had just started to establish themselves in Pulicat during 1610.

Later on, the Dutch defeated the Portuguese and took over the control of Pulicat.

DUTCH IN PULICAT

DUTCH EAST INDIA TRADING SHIPS 1600

DUTCH TRADING SHIPS ON THE COROMANDEL COAST 1680

In 1616, Pulicat became the headquarters of the Coromandal coast.

In 1620, the Dutch established a factory at Pulicat.

They issued ‘ Pulicat Dutch Coins’ which was used for trading.

Pulicat remained as the headquarters of the Dutch till 1825.

Then Pulicat town was captured by the British East India Company.

In 1806, Fort Geldria Was Destroyed.

MAP OF FORT GELDRIA

DUTCH CEMENTERY

THE DUTCH CEMENTRIES ARE UNIQUE AND INTERESTING. IT IS ONE OF ITS KIND IN INDIA. ESTABLISHED IN 1656.

TOMBSTONES ARE OVER 400 YEARS OLD.

Pulicat doesn’t only have a historical importance and rich culture. This scenic town also offers aesthetic and beautiful scenery especially around Pulicat Lake and Pulicat Bird Sanctuary.

The second largest bird sanctuary in India. It is a home to numerous birds which includes Eros, Ergots, Pelican etc especially during the months of October and March.

PULICAT BIRD SANCTUARY

PULICAT SPOTTED PELICANPAINTED STORK

PULICAT LIGHT HOUSE

• Lighthouse is a historical monument at Pulicat, constructed In 1859.

• It was one of the largest Lighthouses during its time of construction with 20 m height.

PULICAT BEACH

Pulicat Beaches Are Clean And Ideal For Water Sports Activities.

PULICAT LAKE

Second Largest Brackish Water Body In India.

LOCAL COMMUNITY PEOPLE FISHING IN THE LAKE

Represent a masterpiece of human creative genius – USED AS A SEA PORT.

Exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology – TRADE.

Be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history - HISTORY OF NUMEROUS INVADERS TOOK POSSESSION OF PULICAT.

Be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change- SEA ROUTE TO EXCHANGE SPICES AND COTTON.

Be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance – HEADQUARTERS OF DUTCH- ISSUED COINS FOR TRADE.

PULICAT SOLVING THE CRITERIA:

Have you heard about the history of Pulicat, a seashore town?

What came to your mind, when I asked about Pulicat?

Did you know that during 15th /16th century, the Pulicat was the largest port throughout the Coromandel coast of India?

Did you know that the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English fought to gain control over this town?

Did you know that Pulicat was a part of the trade route through which spices and cotton were exchanged?

What do you think about nominating Pulicat as an Unesco heritage site?

SURVEY QUESTIONNARIE

Pulicat can be nominated as an Unesco World Heritage Site, as it is having a strong history especially due to Numerous Invaders of the south India. It also acts as an important sea trade route allowing exchange of spices from SouthEast Asia and cotton from Pulicat. It is also know for its Scenic Beauty of Pulicat Lake and Pulicat Bird Sanctuary.

From My Survey , I have concluded that most of the public don’t Know about Pulicat and its interesting history.

After explaining about the site to the people who wrote my survey, they all agreed that this beautiful town should be noticed and gets what it should deserve due to its notable features.

PULICAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A WORLD HERITAGE SITE.

THANK YOU