George Town’s Chulias and Their Forgotten Legacy
By Nor Aishah Hanifa
April 2025 FEATURE
THE TAMIL MUSLIM community in George Town, also known as Chulias, arrived from Kedah, the main destination for Muslim traders coming from the Coromandel Coast of South India. The Chulias conducted an extensive volume of trade across the Indian Ocean, and were seen in many maritime and river ports along the Strait of Malacca. They also held key positions in the Malay Court. By the 18th century, they were handling much of Kedah’s trade.Kedah was known for its Chulia traders,...
Nor Aishah Hanifa
is a faculty member at the Faculty of Defence Studies and Management, National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM). On her blog, she addresses national issues, providing insightful commentary and analysis.
