A remarkable change in the
consumption pattern of Tambula (Betel quid) appeared to have occurred in the 17th century
due to the introduction of Tobacco to the Indian subcontinent and southeast
Asia. Tobacco became an important adjunct along with Katha and spices to the
Tambula. Due to the addictive nature of Tobacco, the frequency of chewing
Tambula also increased many folds’ contrary to the common practice of eating
Tambula after the meal.
Until about 1590, tobacco
and its products were virtually unknown to the Indian subcontinent. Tobacco
introduced from American continent through European traders became a major crop
within few decades of its introduction. The story of rapid expansion of tobacco
cultivation and trade is a fascinating story of Indian economic history.
Christopher Columbus came
across tobacco, when he arrived in Cuba accidently in 1492, while he was trying
to discover India. He witnessed the natives smoking some dry herb called by the
name “Tobaco” and “Tombac” in rituals and feast for pleasure. Later, Spanish
explorers saw tobacco agriculture in “Tabasco” region in Mexico by Mayan
people. Hernández de Boncalo, Spanish chronicler of the Indies, was the first
European to bring tobacco seeds to Europe in 1559 following orders of King
Philip II of Spain. Tobacco expanded in Africa in 1560s by Spanish and
Portuguese sailors, first to the coastal cities of continent and then from
there to the eastern and middle African countries.
As per historic evidence,
tobacco cultivation was initially introduced into two separate areas of India,
the present state of Gujarat (Surat-Broach area) and the state of Andhra
Pradesh (Masulipatam and interior) before 1,600 AD. The custom of smoking
tobacco (Hokah) spread rapidly in Mughal India after its introduction in 1604
or 1605. The cultivation and use of tobacco, proved to be a rich source of revenue for Mughals.
A British traveler Thomas
Bowrey, documented widespread use of tobacco in India and parts of South- east
Asia during 1669 and 1679 CE. As per his book, tobacco used to be included
among items given in gift to the faquirs (holy men) in northern India, and on
the Coromandel coast it was served with the betel leaf and at all Hindu
weddings. As per him, it was farmed in the Andhra region and around Madras and
exported to Achin in Sumatra & Java and Persian Gulf-Red Sea area.
The cultivation of tobacco
which initially began in the Gujarat and Andhra regions, quickly spread to
other areas of the country. During Jahangir's reign tobacco farming "began
to predominate over other crops" and soon the crop was grown almost
everywhere. Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, as well as northern and central India in
general saw the growth of tobacco cultivation through the seventeenth century.
By the end of the seventeenth century the consumption of tobacco, either
through smoking or chewing with Tambula, had spread throughout the diverse
strata of Indian society. Tobacco had become almost a necessity as much for the
aristocrat as the poor man and this domestic demand stimulated production. The
profits of tobacco farming were substantial for both the farmers who grew it
and the government that collected taxes from it.
Historical evidences
suggest the use of Tobacco for smoking in various forms (Cigar, Hookah) or
consumption in the form of Snuff. The whole of western world and Gulf nations
including Mughals were consuming the tobacco for smoking or as snuff. How and
when the use of Tobacco or its products as adjuncts in Tambula, came to
practice is worth investigating.
