Karukkalacherry

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Karaikal has historically been a part of the Tanjore estate and has witnessed most of South India’s famous dynasties. The Cholas, the Pallavas, the Pandyas and even Muslim rulers of the north have held power at the modern-day Tanjore and Tiruchirapalli districts at some time in history. The Cholas excelled in foreign trade and maritime activity, extending their influence overseas to China and South-east Asia. Towards the end of the 9th century, southern India had developed extensive maritime and commercial capabilities.

Tanjore was conquered by the Marathas in 1674 who ruled as Maharajas of Tanjore until 1739 when Dumas, a man who was anxious to extend the French territory in India by smooth means, negotiated with Pratap Singh of Tanjore for possession of Karaikal, the fortress of Karakalcheri and 5 villages. On 14.2.1739 the French took possession of Karaikal town, the fort of Karakalcheri and 8 dependent villages. By 1750 Pratap Singh had ceded to the French 81 villages around Karaikal. 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.