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.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.
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.
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 31st 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 1st November 1954 followed by de
jure transfer on 16th August 1962.
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