Abstract
During the colonial period, the European mercantilist companies established their trade centres in different parts of the Indian subcontinent. Their presence brought many social, political, and economic changes to these regions. One notable aspect of European life that influenced local practices was the use of liquor. For Europeans, liquor was an important part of daily dining and social life. It was commonly used during gatherings, celebrations, and official meetings, and it also held a place in their cultural traditions. In addition to social uses, liquor had practical value. In earlier times, it was often considered safer to drink than water, which could be unsafe or contaminated. Liquor was also used to preserve food and prepare certain medicines. Because of these reasons, the demand for liquor grew in European settlements, and this demand influenced trade networks, local production, and colonial policies related to alcohol in India.
Keywords
References
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On 8th December 1743, the Tellicherry factors directed the ship Montague, which had been dispatched to Cochin, to collect arrack from Beypore and Calicut on its return journey and deliver it to Bombay. Tellicherry Consultation (hereafter TC), Diary, 8 December 1743.
As per the records of 13 March 1735, the factory bought 55 hogsheads of Goa arrack at the rate of Rs. 16 per hogsheads. TC, Diary, 13 March 1735.
Letters to Tellicherry, John Horne, Bombay to Stephen Law, Tellicherry, 8 April 1738. In 1800 General Wellesley wrote to J. Uhthooff, the English Envoy at Goa, “I don’t imagine that the Goa arrack is of so good quality as that made at Batavia or Colombo, and as it is more liable to adulteration and no more may be purchased for the use of the army.” See for details; The Secretaries, Ed., The Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol.XIII, Bombay, 1878, p.114.
TC, Consultation, 10 December 1739.
TC, Consultation, 8 January 1740; TC.
Edgar Thurston, History of Coinage of the Territories of the East India Company in the Indian Penisula and Catalogues on the Indian Coins in the Madras Museum, Madras, 1890, p.23.
Gazeteer of the Bombay Presidency, Material towards Statistical accounts of the town and Island of Bombay, Vol.III, Bombay, 1894, p.344.
Peter Good, The East India Company in Persia, Trade and Cultural Exchange in Eighteenth Century, Chennai, 2022, p.39.
Hugh Murray, Historical Descriptive Account of British India, Vol. III, Edinburg, 1844, p.343.
Alexander Hamilton, A New Account of East Indies, London, 1727, p.299.
Ibid., p.300.
The term ‘Punch House’ appears again in 1748, when the Company invited proposals for its farming and received offers from three bidders. In response, James Hog wrote to the factory chief, stating: “Having perused your publication for the sale of the Punch House, I now beg leave to offer the following proposals.” TC, Letter, James Hog, Tellicherry to Robert Rawdon, Tellicherry, 7 August 1748.
TC, Consultation, 30 July 1748.
TC, Consultation, 8 October 1735.
TC, Diary, 20 September 1737.
TC, Diary, 8 September 1746. In 1747, the English Company hired local toddy-drawers in Calicut and paid them wages to distil palm spirit. See for details; TC, Consultation, 1746-47.
The Thiyyas of Malabar are a prominent traditional community of north Kerala, historically linked to toddy tapping, coconut cultivation, and various skilled trades. In Tellicherry, they also formed an important part of the factory’s soldier force.
TC, Diary, 8 September 1746.
TC, Consultation, 6 October 1747.
TC, Consultation, 8 July 1748.
TC, Consultation, 30 July 1748.
TC, Consultation, 30 July 1748.
TC, Letter, William Gill, Tellicherry to Robert Rawdon, Tellicherry, 8 August 1748.
TC, Letter, James Hog, Tellicherry to Robert Rawdon, Tellicherry, 7 August 1748.
TC, Letter, Thomas Mostyn, Tellicherry to Robert Rawdon, Tellicherry, 8 August 1748,
TC, 8 August 1748.
TC, Diary, 26 July 1749.
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