Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (SSNC) was one of the first indigenous Indian shipping companies set up during the Indian independence movement. It was started in 1906[1] by V. O. Chidambaram Pillai (popularly called as VOC) to compete against the monopoly of the British India Steam Navigation Company (BISNC),[2] plying ships between Tuticorin and Colombo during the Indian freedom struggle. The company liquidated in 1911.
Background
In early 19th century, British India Steam Navigation Company (BISNC) had monopoly over its trade in Indian Ocean region. The merchants of Tuticorin, a port city in South India, decided to break the monopoly. They hired the ship from the Shawline steam company to run between Tuticorin and Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. After the intervention of British Raj, the hired company withdrew the lending.[3]
During this time, V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, a pleader from Tuticorin, (who involved in the Swadeshi movement, which argued for self-reliant), decided to start a navigation company to stop the activities of the British by politically and financially.[3]
Company
Pillai registered the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company on 16 October 1906 with the capital of ₹10 lakh (equivalent to ₹33 crore or US$4.0 million in 2023) by the issue of 40,000 shares.[3] Pillai formed the company not for profit but for ideals of nationalism. Any individuals in Asia were eligible to hold the shares.[3] Pandithurai Thevar, the zamindar of Palavanatham bought the share of Rupees two lakhs by selling Pambur village in his zamin.[4] Thevar became the president and Pillai became the assistant secretary of the company.[3] The objective of the company not only to run the ship between Tuticorin and Colombo but to train the navigational and ship building techniques to the Asians. Pillai toured all over India to raise money for the company.[5] Poet Subramanya Bharathi wrote essays about the importance of the company.[6] Two ships SS Galeo and SS Lavo purchased from France[5] with the help of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Aurobindo Ghose[7] and it arrived to Tuticorin port in 1907. The plying took between Tuticorin and Colombo. The ship had the capacity of carrying 1300 passengers and 40,000 bags of cargo.[8] The ship also carried a flag with the slogan Vande mataram.[8] A trade war broke between SSNC and BISNC, when BISNC reduced the fare to one rupee, Pillai reduced the fare to 50 Paisa. British company further went to gave free umbrellas to passengers.[9] Due to nationalist sentiment, SSNC got support from the traders and passengers even when British company offered free service.[5] BISNC with the help of the British Raj suppressed the activities of the SSNC by denying the place and time schedule in the port[10] and delaying medical and customs clearance of the SSNC passengers.[8]
Pillai planned to celebrate the release of Bipin Chandra Pal from prison as Swarajya day (self-rule day).[11]On 12 March 1908, Subramania Siva and Pillai were arrested on charges of sedition for organising meetings against the government.[12] Pillai was sentenced to two life imprisonments (40 years).[13] During his jail term, the British Raj further suppressed the activities of the company and shareholders withdrew from the company following the harassment from the authorities.[3] The SSNC liquidated in 1911 and one of the ships sold to its rival British company.[14]
Impact
On 17 July 1911, the collector of Tinnevely District Robert William Escourt Ashe was shot dead at Maniyachchi Junction railway station by Vanchinathan, a member of a secret society.[15] During trial, it was revealed that Vanchinathan considered Ashe was responsible for the suppression of the SSNC.[16]
In Tamil Nadu, Pillai remembered as Kapallotiyya Tamilan (Tamilan who sailed ships).[17] Government of India changed the name of Tuticorin Port Trust as V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust to honour Pillai for his contribution towards Indian shipping industry.[18]
References
- ^ Manian, Ilasai (October 20, 2012). "Swadeshi ship on the blue waters of Tuticorin". Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ J, Arockiaraj (Dec 25, 2011). "VOC's descendants found in dire straits". Madurai. TNN. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f R.N.Sampath; Pe. Su. Mani (30 August 2017). V.O.Chidambaram Pillai. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. pp. 50–55. ISBN 978-81-230-2557-5.
- ^ R.N.Sampath; Pe. Su. Mani (30 August 2017). V.O.Chidambaram Pillai. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. p. 112. ISBN 978-81-230-2557-5.
- ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/first-call-to-make-in-india-came-from-bharati-in-1909/
- ^ https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2001/09/22/stories/13221102.htm
- ^ a b c Sunil Khilnani (25 February 2016). Incarnations: India in 50 Lives. Penguin Books Limited. p. 251. ISBN 978-0-241-20823-6.
- ^ https://www.thehindu.com/children/unsung-hero/article25548136.ece/amp/
- ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/how-indians-fought-back-on-high-seas/
- ^ https://frontline.thehindu.com/static/html/fl2619/stories/20090925261908500.htm
- ^ https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/remembering-july-7-1908-the-judgement-day/article6185099.ece/amp/
- ^ https://www.thebetterindia.com/154337/freedom-fighter-tamil-nadu-chidambaram-pillai/amp/
- ^ https://www.thebetterindia.com/154337/freedom-fighter-tamil-nadu-chidambaram-pillai/amp/
- ^ https://frontline.thehindu.com/static/html/fl2619/stories/20090925261908500.htm
- ^ https://frontline.thehindu.com/static/html/fl2619/stories/20090925261908500.htm
- ^ Prosperous Nation Building Through Shipbuilding. KW Publishers Pvt Ltd. 15 March 2013. p. 39. ISBN 978-93-85714-81-8.
- ^ http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=69370