KARIKAL  , a

French settlement in India, situated on the south-east coast, within the limits of Tanjore district, with-an area of 53 sq. m., and 'a population (1901) of 56,595 . The site was promised to the French by the Tanjore raja in 1738, in return for services rendered, but was only obtained by them by force in 1739 . It was captured by the British in 176o, restored in 1765, again taken in 1768, and finally restored. in 1817 . The town is neatly built on one of the mouths of the Cauvery, and carries on a brisk trade with Ceylon, exporting rice and importing chiefly European articles and timber . A chef de l'administralion, subordinate to the government at Pondicherry, is in charge of the settlement, and there is a tribunal of first instance .