History of Kochi
Kochi is now developing very fast compared to any other city in Kerala.Read here the history of Kochi.
Introduction
The 21st century Kochi is becoming a hub of Information Technology and is welcoming national and international IT firms into its folders. It is getting ready to enter into the cadre of metropolitan cities. This kochi has a very rich history and heritage extending to centuries back.
As a prominent part of Kerala, the God's own country, Kochi blessed with natural beauty could attract foreigners from the very beginning. Nature has provided a port to this Queen of Arabian Sea, which contributed heavily to the growth of it, especially as a centre of business. It later gained the title as the Business Capital of Kerala. It was after the visit of Vasco-de- Gama, Kochi got connected with foreign countries in terms of business.
Kochi is blessed with water frontage and beautiful islands around. Vypeen island, the largest among them, and the main land is divided by a large deep river which joins the sea through the Kochi port. There are interpretations according to which the name 'Kochi' is derived from the word Goshree.Historical background
Kochi was a small territory owned and ruled by the King of Kochi, whose Head Quarters were at Tripunithura, near the present Kochi City . Kochi Royal family was known as the Perumbadap Swaroopam and is considered as the descendants of Kulasekhara Kings. Kochi Palace and the members of the Royal Family are still residing at Tripunithura. (Kochi Palace- Hill Palace- is maintained by the Department of Tourism as an Archaeological Museum). Being an independent kingdom the Kings of Kochi established business relationship with foreign countries even earlier than five thousand years.
Kodungalloor (Muziris) and Kozhikode were the other ports which allowed the foreign traders to come to Kerala. In the year 1341, the port at Muziris got destroyed because of natural calamity. This helped improve the status of Kochi port, and more ships came to this port. The Chinese and Italian travelers who had visited this part of the country during the 15th century had mentioned about Kochi and the activities there in their writings.
Influences of Portuguese, Dutch and Jews
Portuguese, Dutch and English connections brought a mixed culture into the Kochi area, especially this was more noticeable in Fort Kochi area. Vasco-de- Gama came to Kochi in 1502. From that period onwards till India got independence in 1947, various activities took place in this part.
Vasco-de-Gama's visit in 1502 invited the Portuguese to this area and slowly they established their supremacy here. It was the rivalry between the King of Kochi and the King Samoothiri of Kozhikkode (the Zamorin of Calicut) which helped the Portuguese to interfere by supporting the Kochi. With their help the Kochi could defeat the Samoothiri. (Samoothiri had sought the help of the Dutch, another foreign intruders.) This resulted in the supremacy of the Portuguese . The Portuguese people constructed the 'Manual Palace', the first European Palace in India, in Kochi with the consent of the Kochi King. Later they conquered the Kodungallur area from the Samoothiri. Thus they established their territory in this area.
In the year 1557 they built the Santhacruz Principal Church at Fort Kochi. Francis Xavier visited Kochi in 16th century for religious works and as a result several conversions took place in these areas. The Portuguese constructed a Palace at Mattanchery for the Kochi King. Later when the Dutch people came to dominate, they modified this palace and because of that the palace is presently known as the Dutch Palace. The walls of this palace was decorated with the paintings depicting the stories in Ramayanam and Mahabharatham. It is recorded that the coronation ceremony of some of the Kochi Kings in those days were conducted in this palace.
The Jews came to Kochi in 1565 from Kodungallur. The Synagogue constructed by them in 1567 still remains as a piece of tourist attraction. Certain pieces of Archaeological importance are kept within this synagogue which include a copper title deed given by the then King, Bhaskara Ravi Varma to them, a crown given by the Travancore Maharaja, silver lamps donated by Colonel Mc Calley and ceramic tiles made in China. Other reminiscences of the Jews could also been seen in this part (Fort Kochi- Mattanchery belt). The Jews influenced the cultural and economic activities of these areas very much because of their dominance, and this continued until majority of them left for Israel, once the the country came into existence.
It was the Chinese who influenced the culture of this Kochi area after the Jews. This is clear from the names of different articles such as the vessels made of Chinese clay and the Chinese silks. More than anything else the Chinese fishing net still remain as a symbol of Kochi. However China had only business relations with this part of the country.Under British control
The Dutch had actually taken over the control of Kochi from the Portuguese. However, both these people continued here allowing the Kochi King to be the Head of the State. This continued until the British East India Company came over here in 1795 and took up the power. The new comers slowly started to establish their supremacy in all fields. They also retained the Kochi King's rule. However, the influence of British rule started showing the modernization trends in Kochi. Fort Kochi was made a Municipal Town in 1866. Later in 1912 Mattanchery and in 1913 Ernakulam also became Municipal towns. Parallel to this business activities in these areas also increased enormously.
The education sector also was showing improvements. The English School started in Ernakulam in 1845 was made a College in 1875. From 1925 onwards this came to be known as the Maharaja's College.
Famous Wellington Island (People of Kochi call it simply 'Island') is a major contribution to Kochi under the British rule. It is a man made island. The work was carried out during the period of the Viceroy-ship of Lord Wellington, hence his name was given to the Island as a memorial. This island has an area about 250 hectares. One can reach there by land or water or air. Railway line also connects it with main land. These and other facilities developed with the guidance of a British expert Robert Bristo helped the growth of trade and business to a very large extent. Different types of ships could anchor in Kochi port, from 1929 onwards itself. The channel has a length of five kilometers and a width of 365 meters.. Under all weather conditions ships weighing more than Eighty thousand tonnage can anchor here.
These facilities at the port has encouraged the starting of different public and private sector companies in and around Kochi. which include FACT, Cochin Refineries, HIL, TCC, etc. Thus the Kochi Port (Cochin Port) helped the starting of the overall development of this area. Other Developments
Kochi is blessed with another gift from the nature. It is the Vembanad Lake(http://www.spiderkerala.net/resources/6237-Vembanad-Lake-Ramsar-site-Kerala.aspx) , the largest lake in the western coast of the country. A portion of this lake is sharing the territorial area of Kochi. Thousands of people staying around this lake depend on it for their day to day living, which include fishing and related activities.
Kochi can be proud of several old temples, churches and other religious centres of worship. This include Ernakulam Siva Temple, Ravipuram Sreekrishna Temple, Valanjambalam Bhagavathy Temple, Thirumala Devaswom Temple, Ernakulam Baslica Church, Edappally St.George Church, Jews' Church, Sikh's Worship centre at Thevara, etc.
Historically Edappally, the northern boundary of present Kochi, was under another King, known as Edappally Raja or Elangalloor Swaroopam. This was not an independent kingdom, but was under the control of Travancore Raja. This rule continued until India became independent.
The latter part of the history of Kochi is related to the people's struggle for independent rule and the formation of popular ministry under the King's rule. This set up was continued until India became independent and the Centre decided to amalgamate all local Kingdoms with the nation.
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