History of Cochin

History of Cochin

Cochin is a city in the state of Kerela and is located towards the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. It has always been a major shipping port in India and its proximity to the Arabian Sea has made a center of trade and commerce. Even during the period of colonization, Cochin had retained its significance. We get the earliest accounts of Cochin in the records made by the Chinese traveler Ma Huan. We also find the references to Cochin in the travelogue by Niccolo da Conti who had stepped on the land of Cochin in 1440AD.

History before the Portuguese rule: The history of Cochin prior to the Portuguese rule is obscure. There is only some reference to the city in the accounts of travelers. The Cochin state gained its significance as a port only after the downfall of the Kulashekhara kingdom. Cochin was invaded by foreigners and colonized for many a times, but the king always remained the titular head of the place.

The Portuguese period: The Portuguese period in Cochin is the most eventful and the most interesting. The Portuguese king sent Pedro Cabral, the admiral, to set up a factory at Cochin. Though the King of Cochin supported the admiral, it was out of fear of the Zamorins that they retreated. It was Vasco Da Gama who destroyed the Arab trading posts and declared war against the Zamorins. The Portuguese later built the Fort Manuel to protect their factory from any attack.

Dutch Period: The Portuguese period was followed by the Dutch rule in Cochin. The Dutch defeated the Portuguese and also overthrew the Raja of Cochin.

English Period and the state of Cochin after Indian Independence: The port of Cochin was greatly developed during the English rule in India. Cochin was the first willing princely state to join the Indian Union after Indian Independence. Cochin gradually developed in to a commercial and industrial hub and also turned into a lace of major tourist attraction.

Hotels in Cochin
Abad Metro Hotel	Rossitta Wood Castle Hotel
Abad Hotel	Taj Malabar Hotel
Trinity Hotel	The Malabar House Hotel

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