Machilipatnam: From Ancient Maritime Glory to Port Revival

Machilipatnam: From Ancient Maritime Glory to Port Revival

Geographic Context:

• Located 70 km east of Amaravati, at the mouth of the River Krishna on the Bay of Bengal, Machilipatnam—also known historically as Masulipatnam, Maisolia, or Manjarika—was one of the most significant port cities on India’s east coast for nearly 1,700 years.

Ancient Roots (1st Century BCE – 3rd Century CE):

• First flourished under the Satavahana Empire (1st century BCE – 2nd century CE), which patronized both inland and international trade.

• The port is mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (1st century CE) as Maisolia, and in Ptolemy’s Geographia (2nd century CE) as Maisolos.

• Muslin textiles, highly prized in Roman markets, were exported via this port.

• The term "muslin" is believed to have been derived from Maisolia.

• This wealth helped fund major Buddhist sites like Amaravati, Jaggayyapeta, Bhattiprolu, Ghantasala, and Undavalli caves.

Vishnukundin and Buddhist Era (4th–6th Century CE):

• Became the primary port of the Vishnukundin dynasty, with trade revenues helping build monuments at Nagarjunakonda.

• Served as a hub for Buddhist monks and traders to Southeast Asia.

• Southeast Asian texts referred to the port as ‘Manjarika’.

Medieval Continuity and Arab Influence (7th–15th Century CE):

• Machilipatnam continued as a vibrant trading port even as other ancient ports like Sopara, Tamralipti, and Kalingapatnam declined.

• The name ‘Machilipatnam’ is believed to have come into use in the 14th century, possibly from Arab merchants who settled there.

Golden Age under Qutb Shahis (16th–17th Century):

• Gained prominence under Sultan Quli Qutb Shah (1512–1543), who captured and developed the port.

• Became a global hub for trade in diamonds (from Golconda), muslin, and Kalamkari textiles.

• Travel time to Golconda was half that to Goa/Dabhol, making it the preferred export route.

• The Portuguese tried to disrupt trade but failed.

European and Persian Merchant Influence (17th Century):

• Dutch East India Company set up its trading post in 1605 with tax exemptions from Qutb Shahis.

• By 1620, established thriving trade with Indonesia; in 1629, 96,000 lbs of iron and 20,000 pieces of steel were exported to Jakarta.

• English East India Company established its first factory in India here in 1611, predating Surat.

• Home to Armenians (Burmese rubies), Persians (royal connections), and a cabal of Persian merchant princes who dominated Indo-Persian trade.

• Powerful local administrator Mir Jumla rose from here to become a key figure in Qutb Shahi and Mughal politics.

Mughal and Nizam Era (Late 17th–18th Century):

• Mughal conquest of Golconda in 1687 disrupted local trade and broke Persian merchant influence.

• Trade routes became unsafe, shifting economic control to Europeans.

• In 1724, Asaf Jah I, the first Nizam of Hyderabad, took over; the port became vital to the Nizam’s dominions.

• In 1768, his son Asaf Jah II signed the Treaty of Machilipatnam, ceding coastal Andhra to the British East India Company.

Decline in the Colonial Era:

• Collapse of muslin and diamond exports, unsuitability of port for large ships (anchorage 5 miles away), and cyclone vulnerability led to decline.

• 1864 cyclone was devastating and sealed the port’s fate.

• International trade shifted to Madras (Chennai) and Visakhapatnam.

• In 1947, the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad sought to reclaim Machilipatnam to make Hyderabad an independent nation, citing the lack of a seaport.

Legacy and Current Revival Efforts:

• Today, Machilipatnam is a medium-sized town with remnants like Dutch fort ruins and a cyclone memorial.

• It is now undergoing revival as a modern Greenfield port at Manginapudi, with major investments under the Machilipatnam Port Development Corporation Ltd.

• The port revival project, expected to complete by 2026, aims to reclaim its historic maritime prominence and boost the regional economy of Andhra Pradesh.