Three Tamil proclamations issued under Dutch rule in Ceylon
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Three Tamil proclamations issued under Dutch rule in Ceylon
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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S. Thananjayarajasingham
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Three Tamil proclamations issued under Dutch rule in Ceylon
Year: 1974 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5163
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
During the Dutch colonial rule in Ceylon, proclamations known as "plakkaats" were issued in Dutch, Sinhalese, and Tamil, mandating compliance from the populace. These documents served to inform the public of government regulations and were often read aloud or posted in public spaces. However, due to their ephemeral nature and public resistance, few plakkaats have survived. This study focuses on three preserved Tamil plakkaats dated from 1733, 1745, and 1792, which provide insight into the administrative practices and societal conditions under Dutch rule.
Control of Gunpowder Supplies
One significant concept highlighted in the first plakkaat from May 1733 is the regulation of gunpowder. The Dutch authorities issued strict prohibitions against the unauthorized sale or exchange of gunpowder, which was considered a critical military resource. As the proclamation emphasized, any individual caught engaged in these activities, whether supplying gunpowder to locals or receiving it unlawfully, would face severe penalties, including death. The Dutch aimed to prevent both native populations and other entities from accessing gunpowder to maintain control over military power and protect their interests.
Enforced Labour Regulations
The second plakkaat, dated April 1745, addresses the enforcement of compulsory labor among certain merchant communities, specifically Chetties, Moors, and Tamils. The proclamation mandates that these individuals obtain guarantors before traveling to ensure they fulfill obligatory labor services for the Dutch government. The document indicates that attempts to evade such work were common, prompting the government to enforce stringent measures to restrict movement and compliance. The intent was to stabilize labor provisions essential for the Dutch trade economy.
Taxation on Inheritance
The third plakkaat from May 1792 discusses a new taxation policy concerning inheritance, particularly upon the death of individuals who leave behind wealth and donations. The regulation stipulates a tax of one-fifth on bequests to close relatives and one-tenth for outsiders inheriting wealth. This taxation was introduced to generate revenue and sustain the institutions, such as the weeskamer, that managed the possessions of the deceased. The policy underscores the Dutch government's financial motivations for implementing administrative controls in the colony.
Link to Economic Interests
Overall, these plakkaats reveal the Dutch authorities' focus on economic interests in Ceylon. By controlling essential resources such as gunpowder and labor while also instituting new taxation measures, the Dutch aimed to secure their economic dominance and revenue generation from the colonies. They responded to local resistance and illicit trade by tightening regulations, demonstrating the precarious balance between maintaining authority and facilitating trade in the colonial period.
Conclusion
The study of these Tamil plakkaats provides valuable insights into the Dutch governance system in Ceylon and highlights their strategic measures to maintain control over essential resources and labor. The proclamations reflect a broader colonial strategy rooted in economic exploitation while dealing with local dynamics. This historical examination reveals the complexities of colonial rule and the interactions between the Dutch administration and the island's inhabitants.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What are Tamil proclamations under Dutch rule in Ceylon?
Tamil proclamations were known as 'plakkaats' issued during Dutch rule (1658-1796) in Ceylon, requiring public compliance and often translated from Dutch.
How were Tamil plakkaats preserved during the Dutch rule?
Many Tamil plakkaats, written on thick hand-made paper, were publicly displayed and read but were often destroyed, resulting in only a few surviving today.
Who issued the first Tamil plakkaat and when?
The first Tamil plakkaat was issued by Governor Diederick Van Domburgh on May 16, 1733, addressing issues related to gunpowder acquisition.
What was the focus of Diederick Van Domburgh's plakkaat?
It focused on preventing the unlawful acquisition of gunpowder by individuals from the Kandyan kingdom and local residents, with severe penalties for violations.
What measures did the Dutch impose on Chetties and Moors?
Chetties, Moors, and Paravars were required to obtain guarantors for obligatory services to minimize evasion of duties mandated by the Dutch authorities.
What was the purpose of the proclamations issued in 1745?
The 1745 proclamation aimed to enforce obligatory services among merchant communities, mitigating evasion while ensuring compliance with labour demands from the Dutch government.
What was the content of the plakkaat from May 13, 1792?
The 1792 plakkaat instituted taxes on inheritances to increase revenue for the Dutch government, specifying rates for close relatives and outsiders receiving donations.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Three Tamil proclamations issued under Dutch rule in Ceylon�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Ceylon:
Ceylon refers to the island now known as Sri Lanka where the Dutch East India Company established its rule from 1658-1796. Several proclamations and documents, known as 'plakkaats,' were issued during this period in various languages, including Tamil.
2) Tamil:
Tamil is one of the languages in which Dutch proclamations (plakkaats) were issued during their rule in Ceylon. The Tamil plakkaats were translations of their Dutch originals, addressing various administrative and social matters.
3) Merchant:
[see source text or glossary: Merchant]
4) India:
[see source text or glossary: India]
5) Death:
Death is significant in the third plakkaat concerning the taxation on wealth and donations bequeathed by a deceased individual. Various officials were instructed to report deaths to maintain accurate records and levy appropriate taxes.
6) Donation:
Donation relates to the third plakkaat where a tax was imposed on wealth and donations bequeathed by deceased individuals. The value of these donations was subjected to taxation to generate revenue for the Dutch government.
7) Soldier:
Soldiers are mentioned in the first plakkaat where specific directives were issued against the sale or exchange of gunpowder by Dutch soldiers, with strict penalties, including death for violators.
8) Wealth:
Wealth is addressed in the third plakkaat, which imposed taxes on the inheritance of wealth and donations bequeathed by deceased individuals to their close relatives or outsiders, to ensure revenue for the Dutch administration.
9) Child (Children):
[see source text or glossary: Children]
10) Sanskrit:
Sanskrit is the origin of certain Tamil terms like 'aaykkinai' (punishment), 'paratheeci' (stranger), and 'coonakar' (Moors), as noted in the glossary detailing loanwords in the plakkaats.
11) Jacob:
Jacob refers to Willem Jacob van de Graaff, the Dutch governor of Ceylon who served from 1785 to 1794. His name appears in the third plakkaat, which dealt with taxation on inheritances and bequests.
12) Labour (Labor):
Labour refers to the mandatory service imposed by the Dutch on specific communities such as the Chetties, Moors, and Paravars. The second plakkaat addresses measures to enforce compulsory labour and prevent evasion by these communities.
13) Powder:
Gunpowder is central to the first plakkaat issued to prevent unlawful transactions involving gunpowder by residents and soldiers. The document lays out severe penalties for those who violate these rules to protect Dutch interests.
14) Kali:
Kaali refers to Galle, a location mentioned in the second plakkaat where merchant communities attempted to evade obligatory services to the Dutch. The Dutch imposed restrictions on movements to ensure compliance with enforced labour.
15) Anta (Amta):
[see source text or glossary: Antha]
16) King:
King refers to the native Kandyan rulers during Dutch rule in Ceylon who sought firearms and gunpowder from the Dutch. The first plakkaat mentions these attempts and the Dutch measures to prevent the illicit acquisition of gunpowder.
17) City:
The city mainly refers to Colombo, the administrative center from which proclamations were issued. The third plakkaat involves officials in Colombo and adjoining areas in the stringent reporting of deaths to enforce tax laws effectively.
18) Possession:
[see source text or glossary: Possession]
19) Sailor:
Sailors are mentioned in the first plakkaat, which aimed to prevent them from selling or giving away gunpowder unlawfully. Stricter controls were put in place to curb the misuse and loss of gunpowder.
20) Island:
The island refers to Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka), under Dutch rule. The island was administratively managed through various proclamations to control local populations and resources efficiently.
21) Roman (Roma):
[see source text or glossary: Roman]
22) Caste:
Caste refers to the various social groups such as the Chetties, Moors, and Paravars who were subjected to obligatory services under Dutch rule. The documents address how these groups were managed through strict regulations.
23) Money:
Money is crucial in the third plakkaat regarding the taxation of wealth and donations following an individual's death. It also appears in the first plakkaat discussing transactions of money for gunpowder, which were prohibited.
24) Power:
[see source text or glossary: Power]
25) Atu:
[see source text or glossary: Athu]
26) Communication (Communicating, Communicate, Communicated):
Communication highlights the slow information transfer between Patria (the Netherlands) and its colonies, necessitating local governance over possessions and administrative matters to maintain order and efficiency.
27) Etymology:
Etymology is essential in the glossary, revealing the linguistic origins of many Tamil terms from Dutch and Portuguese, helping to understand the administrative and social context during Dutch rule.
28) Deceit (Deceitful):
[see source text or glossary: Deceitful]
29) Charity:
Charity box or deacon's box is mentioned in the second plakkaat, where fines collected from non-compliant officials were deposited to benefit the poor, showing the Dutch efforts to maintain social welfare.
30) Nature:
[see source text or glossary: Nature]
31) Lanka (Lamka, Là nkà ):
Lanka refers to the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) under Dutch rule. The Dutch issued various proclamations to manage and govern the island's inhabitants and resources effectively.
32) Cetti (Cettige):
Cetti is derived from 'Chetties,' a mercantile caste involved in Indo-Ceylon trade. The second plakkaat specifically addresses their obligatory services and restrictions on their movements within Dutch-controlled areas.
33) Court:
Court refers to judicial bodies like the 'raad van justitie' and 'landraad' that handled legal matters involving the local population and Dutch residents. The third plakkaat emphasizes reporting deaths for taxation purposes to these courts.
34) Ati:
[see source text or glossary: Athi]
35) Fort:
[see source text or glossary: Fort]
36) Prevention:
Prevention is a key theme in the first plakkaat, focusing on preventing the unlawful sale or exchange of gunpowder. It includes strict penalties to curb these activities threatening Dutch control and safety.
37) Knowledge:
Knowledge is significant in the historical context where native kings aimed to learn about European military technologies. However, the Dutch restricted this knowledge to maintain their dominance and prevent native uprisings.
38) Fisherman (Fishermen):
[see source text or glossary: Fisherman]
39) Residence:
[see source text or glossary: Residence]
40) Devaraja (Deva-raja):
Devaraja refers to Mr. A. Devaraja, the Director of the Department of National Archives, who assisted the author by providing access to photostat copies of the plakkaats for this research study.
41) Prakrit (Prakrt):
[see source text or glossary: Prakrit]
42) Kanakku:
[see source text or glossary: Kanakku]
43) Village:
[see source text or glossary: Village]
44) Servant:
[see source text or glossary: Servant]
45) Matam:
[see source text or glossary: Maatham]
46) Uttama:
[see source text or glossary: Uttama]
47) Matara:
[see source text or glossary: Matara]
48) Yavana:
[see source text or glossary: Yavana]
49) Marana:
[see source text or glossary: Marana]
50) Thakka:
[see source text or glossary: Thakka]
51) Forest:
[see source text or glossary: Forest]
52) Weapon:
Weapon specifically refers to gunpowder and firearms. The first plakkaat addresses issues surrounding the illicit transfer and possession of gunpowder, highlighting measures to safeguard these essential wartime commodities.
53) Syria (Syrian):
[see source text or glossary: Syrian]
54) Copper:
[see source text or glossary: Copper]
55) Indian:
[see source text or glossary: Indian]
56) Market:
[see source text or glossary: Market]
57) Desire:
[see source text or glossary: Desire]
58) Secret (Secrecy, Secretly):
[see source text or glossary: Secret]
59) Citti:
[see source text or glossary: Seetti]
60) Thana:
[see source text or glossary: Thaana]
61) Safety:
Safety is a recurrent theme in the first plakkaat, focusing on safeguarding Dutch interests by preventing the unlawful sale of gunpowder to ensure the safety and security of the colonial administration.
62) Takka:
[see source text or glossary: Takka]
63) Aneka:
[see source text or glossary: Aneka]
64) Madra:
[see source text or glossary: Madra]
65) Nalla:
[see source text or glossary: Nalla]
66) Patta:
[see source text or glossary: Patta]
67) Pearl:
[see source text or glossary: Pearl]
68) Black:
Black ink is mentioned in the description of the first plakkaat, which was well-preserved and contained twenty-nine hand-written lines in black ink. This detail illustrates the document's physical condition and archival rigor.
69) Woman (Women):
[see source text or glossary: Woman]
70) Limit (Limiting, Limited):
Limit refers to the specificity required in the second plakkaat concerning the exact nature and duration of obligatory services for Chetties, Moors, and others. Detailed entries in passports were meant to limit their movements and activities.
71) Tala:
[see source text or glossary: Thala]
72) Kata:
[see source text or glossary: Kata]
73) Cila (Cilà ):
[see source text or glossary: Cila]
74) Rice (Rce):
[see source text or glossary: Rice]
75) Boat:
[see source text or glossary: Boat]
[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 81]