Abstract:
Jaffna Peninsula is situated in the Northern part of Sri Lanka. This Peninsula had
been under control of the colonialism of Portuguese in AD 1505. In this context,
Dutch and British followed Portuguese and colonized Jaffna Peninsula. While the
main purpose of the Europeans’ arrival had been for the economy, they gave the
second place to religion. They had not only utilised the economic resources of the
natives, but also tried to gain extra income by cultivating the crops of their
countries. In such situation, Portuguese introduced tobacco cultivation during
European colonial period, particular in AD 1636. Yet, tobacco was not cultivated like
other crops at estates such as tea, rubber and coffee which were brought during the
European colonial period. However, they did not fail to use tobacco as an exporting
media for the achievement of economy during the period of Europeans in Jaffna
Peninsula. Particularly, there was abundance of response in Thiruvankoor for Jaffna
tobacco since they were dried and soaked in salt water. Hence, the trade of tobacco
had started to flourish between Jaffna and Thiruvankoor during the Europeans
reign. Although tobacco had been exported in the periods of Portuguese and Dutch,
no one can reject that the tobacco cultivation and export had reached its peak
especially during the British period in the latter part of AD.18th century. The
primary purpose of this study completely approached historically, clearly explains
the importance of Jaffna tobacco cultivation achieved only for the Europeans
income. In this study, the principal and secondary statuses of sources have been
used considering the obligation of the study. Generally speaking, nevertheless the
tobacco cultivation was introduced by Portuguese, it has reached its peak growth
only during the English ruling. Further, no one can underestimate the importance
of tobacco in Jaffna farmers’ cultivation among their secondary crops even after the
Europeans left Jaffna Peninsula three centuries ago.
