About Kochi (Cochin)

History Of Kochi
The origin of the name ‘Kochi’ has many theories to it. Many historians argue that the name doesn’t sound like any Malayalam word and that it comes from a foreign language. This strengthens the assumption that Kochi had pre-historic foreign relations. Another assumption says that the name is derived from ‘Koch azhi’, meaning ‘small sea’ in Malayalam.

Travellers Ma Huei and Ibn Batuta have been attributed to some of the earliest written records of the city. Kochi enjoyed a prominent place as a trade centre even before it came in touch with the west. Most of the trade was conducted with countries in the Middle East, the Far East and China. The Kulashekhara Empire ruled over Kochi, which had almost the whole of south India under its control until the 12th century A.D. The year 1102 A.D, needs special mention as it was the time when the Kochi Rajas of Kochi Royal Family took control over the area. Rival kingdoms were Travancore and the Zamorin-ruled Malabar.

Kochi was the site for the first European settlement in India. Portuguese men and boats that arrived in the 1500s were the first lot. Traveller Vasco da Gama changed the destiny of Kochi and Kerala. The Portuguese built a fort in Kochi after winning the battle against Zamorins. They also built churches, armouries and settlements. Their influence over the rulers of the princely states increased. Exclusive trade privileges earned the gratitude of the local rulers. The foreigners’ help was sought in defending each King’s territory and for the conquest of other kingdoms. This was followed by interventions in day-to-day administration and finance matters, finally leading to a nearly full-fledged Portuguese rule in Kochi. And the kings were mere puppets in the hands of the European power.

Portuguese rule in Kerala declined with the entry of the Dutch into Quilon, in Travancore, and the fall of Albuquerque in Portugal by 1663. The Dutch came with a promise to the Rajas of Kochi to overthrow the Portuguese. They followed the same path as the Portuguese : establishing themselves as trade partners first, and then intervening in the administration of the city. The Dutch ruled Kochi for just over a century and their supremacy came to an end with the advent of Hyder Ali, a ruler from the Muslim kingdom of Mysore.

Then followed the era of British rule. Following the Anglo-Dutch treaty, the islands of Kochi was handed over to the English in exchange for the islands of Banca in the South China Sea. The British developed Kochi as a port city. They had a master plan of Kochi, with Thripunthura as its centre. Robert Bristow, a young harbour engineer, was commissioned from England to build the Kochi port. An entire artificial island, Willigdon Island, was built in order to set up one of India’s most strategic ports.

The British introduced many administrative and regulatory reforms. In 1863, Fort Kochi became the first municipality and held open elections in 1883. In 1896, the Maharaja of Kochi initiated local councils for better administration of the state. It was set up at Mattancherry and Ernakulam.
There are records of Jews migrating to Kerala, and Kochi in particular, far before any of the imperialists. They arrived at Cranganore, now known as Kodungallur, and were provided land for setting up places of worships at different locations in the Kochi Empire. Most of the synagogues are located in and around Kochi. Some of them, especially the Pardesi Synagogue are major tourist attractions.

After India attained freedom from the British, Kochi became the first state to willingly join the Indian Union. Travancore and Kochi states merged to form the Thiru-Kochi state. By 1956 it became part of the grand state of Kerala, together with Malabar. Kerala has a small territory under central rule within it - Mahe. It is part of Pudhuchery (Pondicherry) Union territory. Mahe was one of the few places in India under French rule.

Kochi Today
The commercial capital of Kerala, Kochi, is more than just a tourist hub. Its rich past and colourful culture lures even the most reluctant traveller. Backwater lagoons, coconut groves and beautiful beaches make this bustling city a tourist’s paradise. You can find people from all over the country living and working here. The city has become a melting pot of cultures. Centuries-old temples, churches and palaces share space with skyscraping malls and commercial outlets.

Along with historically-significant areas of Thripunithara and Fort Kochi, the city has many islands, too. Vypeen is the most popular. Cherai Beach is located on one side of it. Bridges connect Cochin to these islands. Even now some of the islands are accessible by water only.

The Kochi port plays an important role in the country’s economy. Located in Willingdon Island, the port exports anything cash crops to technology, but majority of the exports which contribute heavily to the Kerala economy come from the seafood industry.

Tourism is another booming industry. The government has taken special measures to prevent exploitation of natural resources and provides support for environmentally sustainable growth and development of the industry. Because of the great emphasis on the standards of the facilities available for the tourists by the governments the services and facilities are of international quality. Kerala is one of the well-linked states in India in terms of telecommunication and transport. This means that you are always connected to the world even during the vacation of your lifetime.

About Kochi (Cochin)

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