Trade in Goa during the 19th century with special reference to colonial Kanara

Abstract

An attempt is made to analyse the trade connections between Portuguese Goa and colonial Kanara in the 19th century. The present exposition is mainly based on the administrative records of the English East India Company government such as Proceedings of the Madras Board of Revenue, Proceedings of the Madras Sea Customs Department, Madras Commercial Consultations, and official letters of the Collectors of Kanara. These sources present clear trading relations between Portuguese Goa and colonial Kanara and refer to the various items of trade, both imports and exports. Of these, however, one could see repeated and striking references to the import of salt from Goa to Kanara and export of rice from Kanara to Goa. This basic, historic and essential link between the two colonial pockets is striking and calls for a study.