1922] MADRAS PEARL FISHERIES M 



" residence so near the sea, they liad no manner of disposing of 

 "their pearls, they made an agreement with the Rajas that a 

 " market day should be proclaimed throughout their dominions, 

 " when merchants might securely come from all parts of India, and 

 " at which the divers and sutlers necessary to furnish provisions for 

 "the multitude might also meet, and as this assemblage would 

 "consist of two different races, namely, the Parruas and subjects 

 "of the Rajas, as well as strangers and travellers, two kinds of 

 " guards and tribunals were to be established to prevent all disputes 

 " and quarrels arising during this open market, every man being sub- 

 ject to his own judge, and his case being decided by him ; all pay- 

 " merits were then also divided among the headmen of the Parruas, 

 " who were the owners of that fishery, and who hence became rich 

 " and powerful ; they had weapons and soldiers of their own, with 

 " which they were able to defend themselves against the violence of 

 " the Rajas or their subjects. 



" The Moors who had spread themselves over India, and 

 " principally along the coasts of Madura, were strengthened by the 

 " natives professing Mahomedanism and by Arabs, Saracens, 

 " and the privateers of the Sammoryn,* and they began also to 

 " take to pearl-diving as an occupation, but being led away by ill— 

 ' feeling and hope of gain, they often attempted to outreach the 

 ' Parruas, some of whom even they gained to their party and to 

 '' their religion, by which means they obtained so much importance, 

 " that the Rajas joined themselves to the Moors, anticipating great 

 " advantages from the trade which they carried on and from their 

 *' power at sea ; and thus the Parruas were oppressed, although 

 " they frequently ro^e against their adversaries, but they always got 

 " the worst of it, until at last in a pearl fishery at Tutucoryn, having 

 "purposely raised a dispute, they fell upon the Moors, and killed 

 " some thousands of them, burnt their vessels, and remained 

 " masters of the country, though much in fear that the Moors, joined 

 " by the pirates of Calicut, would rise against them in revenge. 



' The Portuguese arrived about this time with one ship at Tutu- 

 "coryn ; the Parruas requested them for assistance, and obtained a 

 " promise of it- on condition that they should become Christians; 

 "this they generally agreed to, and having sent Commiss ; oners 

 " with some of the Portuguese to Goa, they were received under 

 " the protection of that nation, and their Commissioners returned 



* The Zamorin of Calicut, a powerful sea-chief of this period, but himself belonging 

 to the Hindu relisnon. 



