Ananda Ranga Pillai

Infobox Person
name = Ananda Ranga Pillai


image_size =
caption = A portrait of Ananda Ranga Pillai
birth_name =
birth_date = birth date|1709|03|30|mf=y
birth_place = Perambur, Madras Presidency
death_date = death date and age|1761|01|16|1709|03|30|mf=y
death_place = Pondicherry, French India
death_cause =
resting_place =
resting_place_coordinates =
residence =
nationality =
other_names =
known_for = diary
education =
employer = French East India Company
occupation = merchant, "dubash"
title =
height =
weight =
religion = Hindu
spouse = Mangathayi Ammal
children = Pappal, Kalathi, Lakshmi, Annasamy, Ayyasamy


website =
footnotes =

Ananda Ranga Pillai (March 30, 1709 – January 16, 1761) was a "dubash" in the service of the French East India Company. He is mainly famous for his set of private diaries from the years 1736 to 1761 which portray life in 18th century India.

Ananda Ranga Pillai was born in Madras in a well-to-do Vellalar family. At a very early age, Ananda Ranga Pillai emigrated with his father to Pondicherry where the family pursued their business interests. On his father’s death in 1726, Ananda Ranga was made "dubash" and served in his capacity till his removal on grounds of ill-health and deteriorating performance. Ananda Ranga died in 1761 at the age of 51. Ananda Ranga was especially known for his promixity to the French Governor Dupleix, who favored him in various appointments.

Ananda Ranga Pillai’s diaries were translated in the early 20th century and bring to light life in the mid 18th century and the Anglo-French Carnatic wars. His mansion in Pondicherry has been recognized as a heritage monument.

C. S. Srinivasachari, a prominent Indian historian described Ananda Ranga Pillai as the "Samuel Pepys of French India".cite news|title=The Samuel Pepys of French India| url=http://newstodaynet.com/2005sud/05jul/ss15.htm|date=July 21, 2005|work=News Today|last=Sundaram|first=V.|accessdate=2008-09-17]

Early life

Ananda Ranga Pillai was born to a merchant named Tiruvengada Pillai on March 30, 1709 in the village of Perambur on the outskirts of Madras.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, Introduction, p. vii] Madras was, then, the center of Tiruvengada Pillai’s business activities. In 1716, at the behest of Nainiya Pillai, a brother-in-law of Tiruvengada Pillai, who then functioned as the chief Indian agent of French Pondicherry, Guillaume André d’Hébert, the French Governor of Pondicherry invited Tiruvengada Pillai and other important Indian merchants of Madras, to his city. Relying on Nainiya Pillai’s advice, Tiruvengada moved with his family and businesses to Pondicherry and settled there. Soon afterwards, Nainiya Pillai fell out of favor with the Governor and was thrown in prison where he died from neglect. In contrast, Tiruvengada rapidly rose in favor with the French rulers and attained a respectable position in the city.

Tiruvengada Pillai’s return to Madras and the French Governor’s assurance

On the arrest of Nainiya Pillai, Tiruvengada Pillai had fled to Madras fearing arrest and ill-treatment.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, Introduction, p. viii] However, De La Prévostière who succeeded D’Hébert induced Tiruvengada to return. Meanwhile, Nainiya Pillai’s son Guruva Pillai escaped to France via Madras. His charges against D’Hébert before the Duke of Orleans were responsible for the removal and replacement of Governor D’Hébert. Guruva Pillai later adopted Christianity and settled down in France where he was appointed "Chevalier" of St Michael. Guruva Pillai died in 1724 followed by Tiruvengada Pillai in June 1726.

Early career

Pierre Christoph Le Noir who succeeded De La Prévostière had great regard for Tiruvengada Pillai and his family. Hence on Tiruvengada Pillai’s death in 1726, he gave employment to his son Ananda Ranga Pillai in the French East India Company and made him the chief of the Indian employees at the Company’s factory at Porto Novo. Soon, Ananda Ranga proved his worth. Large quantities of blue cloth were manufactured at Porto Novo. This was made possible mainly due to the efforts of Ananda Ranga Pillai who also established trading posts at Lalapettai and Arcot for trading Indian merchandise for European manufactures.

Ananda’s fortune reached greater heights during the tenure of Le Noir’s successor Pierre Benoît Dumas who, too, seemed to have had a favorable opinion of him.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, Introduction, p. ix]

Till his death, Guruva Pillai had functioned as the "chief dubash" of Pondicherry. A "dubash" was a merchant in service of the Company who roughly performed the task of a translator and intermediary between Indian and European merchants. On Guruva’s death, the "chief dubashship" passed into the hands of another family as Guruva Pillai’s children have been raised Hindu and the Chief Ecclesiastes of the Colony strongly desired that the holders of the particular office needed to be Christian. When Dupleix became the Governor, the "chief dubash" was one Kanakaraya Mudali with whom Ananda Ranga Pillai had a bitter rivalry.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, Introduction, p. x] However, Kanakaraya Mudali died in the year 1746 and in 1747, after many consultations and decision-making, Ananda Ranga Pillai was made "chief dubash".

Rise to power

On March 27, 1737, Ananda Ranga Pillai was questioned by the Governor Dumas about four bales of cloth that have been reported as missing from the cargo by Dubois stationed at Mylapore.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 14] But Ananda made a staunch defence insisiting that the four bales of cloth had been received by Mahe de la Villebague, captain of the ship at Cuddalore who had issued a receipt confirming the same.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 15] The Governor contacted the authorities at Cuddalore and found that the four bales of cloth were included in the accounts of shipments from the city.

In November 1738, the bitter rivalry that had existed between Ananda Ranga Pillai and the "chief dubash" Kanakaraya Mudali flared up into a conflagration. Observing that Ananda Ranga Pillai had not remitted the interest for the loan he had borrowed to pay coral merchants, Kanakaraya Mudali reported the same to the Governor.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 66] Initially, the Governor Dumas insisted upon the "dubash" paying the interest but later, on learning of the heavy losses that had befallen the "dubash" that year, he concededThe Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 69] and even offered to pay off Ananda Ranga Pillai’s debts. The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 71] But Ananda Ranga Pillai refused. The matter was raised before the Council where Ananda Ranga had to answer for the charges brought out against him.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 75] Ananda Ranga pleaded with Mr. Golard a member of the Council explaining that he had never paid interest before.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 76] At length, the Council decided in favor of Ananda Ranga Pillai and his debt was waived.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 77]

On October 22, 1739, Kanakaraya Mudali’s 21-year old son, Velvendra Mudali died at the age of 21.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 102] Velvendra’s mother committed suicide on receiving the news.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 103] On October 19, 1741, Dumas left Pondicherry leaving charge to the Deputy GovernorThe Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 182.] who ruled Pondicherry till January 14, 1742 when Joseph François Dupleix arrived from Chandranagore.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 184] During Dupleix’s tenure, Ananda Ranga rose to the zenith of power and prominence in French India and exercised firm control over the internal affairs of the territory.

From 1743 onwards, Ananda Ranga rose rapidly in favor of the Governor of Pondicherry. when the suburban villages of Pondicherry were leased for five years to Kumara Pillai, Vira Nayakkan, Chandramadi Pillai, and Ella Pillai, Ananda Ranga Pillai was able to offer surety for the renters for a period of five years.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 227] Nevertheless, when Kesava Aiyan passed away, Ananda Ranga was not able to prevent Kanakaraya Mudali from nominating his brother-in-law Gavinivasa Mudali as "dubash" in Kesava Aiyan’s place.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 251] The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 252] Kanakaraya Mudali secured his objective despite the vehement protests of Ananda Ranga Pillai. On June 29, 1744, the marriage of Ananda Ranga Pillai’s daughter Papal was conducted in regal splendor. The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 256] Ananda Ranga further solidifed his position by mediating in disputes such as those between Prakasa Mudali and Tiruvengada Pillai,The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 284] etc. Not to be left behind, on November 30, 1745, Ananda Ranga’s great rival Kanakaraya Mudali constructed a church at Ozhukkarai and celebrated its consecration by providing a great feast.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 293] Ananda Ranga Pillai, however, heaps heavy criticism for inviting people of non-Christian faiths for the feast celebrating the consecration of a church. On February 12, 1746, Kanakaraya Mudali diedThe Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 311] and on his death, there was an inheritance dispute between his heirs.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 314] A Committee of 20 officials were appointed to arbitrate and Ananda Ranga Pillai led the Committee.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 315] The Committee decided that Chinna Mudali, the brother of the deceased Kanakaraya Mudali was the rightful heir to his estate.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 320] However, Chinna Mudali was not satisfiedThe Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 346] The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 363] and the matter dragged on till April 1746, when Ananda Ranga’s diplomacy finally sealed the matter.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 380]

Apart from pleasing the Governor through his service, Ananda Ranga Pillai also incurred the Governor’s wrath on certain occasions. There was at least one occasion during thei period when Ananda Ranga was questioned by Dupleix regarding payment of the large sum of money he owed to the Company.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 326] Ananda Ranga Pillai, however, soon cleared off his debts by paying one Suga Sing the money the Company owed him.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 79] However, still, Dupleix demanded 1,000 pagodas that Ananda Ranga Pillai owed the Company.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 86] It was evident that much more than the service Ananda Ranga Pillai had rendered to the Company, it was Ananda Ranga Pillai’s position as Dupleix’s favorite that had helped him scale the ladder.

Ananda Ranga Pillai was questioned by the Governor regarding the ill-treatment of a prisoner called Mari Chetti.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 396] The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 398] Chinna Mudali was deputed to interrogate two eye-witnesses Tandavarayan and Rangan and they swore that Ananda Ranga’s conduct towards Mari Chetty was, in no way, objectionable. Based on this evidence, Ananda Ranga was acquitted.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 399]

Throughout Dupleix’s tenure, Ananda Ranga Pillai entertained dignitaries as the "dubash" of Fort St David, Indian merchants, and even Mahe de la BordannaisThe Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 115] . He also supervised the regular payment of revenue. Official communications to the Governor, too, was handled by him.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 72] The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 139] The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 140] The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 144] He performed errands for the Governor and adjudicated on criminal cases.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 182] The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 183] The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 197] In May 1746, he interceded on behalf of one Karaikal Tiruvengadam who had been imprisoned and obtained his release.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 35]

Soon after Kanakaraya Mudali’s death in February 1746, his younger brother Chinna Mudali started making efforts to obtain the post of Chief Dubash which his brother had previously held.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, p. 406] However, the property dispute he had with Kanakaraya Mudali’s wife and his own lack of competence and skill soon saw him out of the race. On June 12, 1746, de Bausset, a long time comanion of Ananda Ranga Pillai urged him to campaign for "Chief Dubash-ship".The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 61] The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 62] However, Ananda Ranga Pillai seems to have been reluctant to accept the post initially when the Governor nominated Ananda Ranga Pillai for the post. 193 194 However, on the insistence of Mrs. Dupleix he accepted.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 198] The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 199] The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 200] At that time, he came to know that another aspirant Annapurna Aiyan had bribed the Governor and his wife for the post.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1907, Volume II, p. 245] However, this attempt fails as Ananda Ranga Pillai is eventually appointed "Chief DUbash". However, Mrs. Dupleix demands extremely costly bribes in order to support his candidature. '

Discovery and translation of the diaries

On Ananda Ranga Pillai’s death, the diaries came into the possession of his nephew Tiruvengam Pillai who appears to have maintained a series of records of his own till the beginning of 1770.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, Introduction, p. xiii] Subsequent generations of the family had discarded it until the manuscript was recovered in a decrepit state by Gallois Montburn, the Mayor of Pondicherry, a scholar of Oriental languages, in 1846, who immediately set upon translating the manuscript to French. However, when the translated manuscript was being edited a number of gaps were discoveredThe Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, Introduction, p. xiv] The gaps were supplemented when volumes one and two of Ananda Ranga Pillai’s diary were found. These were subsequently translated into French in 1870 and 1889. In 1894, Julien Vinson, Professor of the Special School of Livino-Oriental Languages at Paris who had published the second translation (which was, obviously, incomplete) published a supposed full translation of Ananda Ranga Pillai’s diaries titled "Les Français dans l'Inde," In 1892, the existence of the diary was brought to the notice of Lieutenant General H. Macleod, the British Consular Agent at Pondicherry.The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai 1904, Volume I, Introduction, p. xv] At the direction of Lord Wenlock, the then Governor of Madras, an English translation of the diary from Montbrun’s copy was attempted. This was completed in 1896.

Legacy

Since the discovery and translation of his diaries during the 19th and early 20th centuries, Ananda Ranga Pillai has accumulated a great deal of posthumous fame and recognition for his depiction of 18th century South India, the intrigues and deals in French Pondicherry and his description of the French conquest of Madras and the Carnatic Wars. His set of diaries have emerged as one of our primary sources of reference on the Carnatic Wars. Ananda Ranga Pillai has been referred to by V. V. S. Aiyar in his journal "Balabharati" and had attracted the curiosity of Subrahmanya Bharati, Aurobindo Ghosh and Mandyam Srinivasa Iyengar. C. S. Srinivasachari, a prominent Indian historian, described Ananda Ranga Pillai as "the Samuel Pepys of French India".

Ananda Ranga Pillai’s house in Pondicherry, which is located in a street named after the "dubash", was one of the few buildings to survive the British invasion of the city in 1761.It was recently recognized as a heritage monument by the Government of Pondicherry. The mansion is known for its unique blend of Indian and French architecture: the ground floor being built in Indian fashion, while the columns which supported the terrace followed the French architectural style.

A diary maintained by Muthu Vijaya Tiruvengadam Pillai, grandson of Ananda Ranga Pillai, and relating to the period from 1794 to 1796 was translated and published on March 30, 2000.cite news|title=18th century diary to be released today| url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2000/03/30/stories/0430227n.htm|date=March 30, 2000|work=The Hindu|last=|first=|accessdate=2008-09-17]

See also

* Pachaiyappa Mudaliar
* French India
* Pondicherry

Notes

References

* cite book | title=The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai, Volume I| last=Pillai| first=Ananda Ranga| coauthors=Translated by Sir J. Frederick Price, K. Rangachari| date=1904| publisher=Government Press| location=Madras
* cite book | title=The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai, Volume II| last=Pillai| first=Ananda Ranga| coauthors=Translated by Sir J. Frederick Price, K. Rangachari| date=1907| publisher=Government Press| location=Madras