[3] In the early 20th century, the British India Steam Navigation Company (BISNC) had a monopoly over trade in the Indian Ocean region.
[4] During this time, V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, a pleader from Tuticorin who was involved in the Swadeshi movement, which argued for self-reliance, started a navigation company as an act of political and financial opposition to the British.
[4] Pillai registered the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company on 16 October 1906 with a capital of ₹10 lakh (worth ₹2,000 crore in 2019 prices) from the issue of 40,000 shares.
[4] Pillai toured throughout India to raise money for the company,[6] while poet Subramanya Bharathi wrote essays about its importance.
[9] In 1908, Pillai was part of a group that planned to celebrate the release of independence advocate Bipin Chandra Pal from prison as Swarajya (self-rule) day.
[14] On 17 June 1911, the collector of Tinnevely District, Robert Ashe, was shot dead at Maniyachchi Junction railway station by Vanchinathan, a member of a secret society.