History

Like most cities in India, Kochi has a very long and illustrious history. But, the origin of the name is still shrouded in mystery. Many theories exist, but none are strong enough to be conclusive. Some historians believe that Kochi is a modified form of the word 'Cochazhi' which in Malayalam means 'small sea'. Others are of the opinion that 'Kochi' was named so by the Chinese. According to them, traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan, gave Kochi the name of their homeland. The peculiar Chinese fishing nets found here, the only place outside China where it has been spotted, can possibly be attributed to the heavy Chinese influence the city has had in the past. Still another theory is that Kochi is derived from the word 'Kaci' meaning 'harbour'.

Kochi earned a significant position on the world trading routes after the world famous port at Kodugallur (Cranganore) was destroyed by massive flooding of the river Periyar in 1340 AD. Records show that Kodugallur (Cranganore) was known to the Arabs and Chinese traders for centuries. After the Kodugallur port was destroyed, the forces of nature created a natural harbour at the nearby city - Kochi. Kochi started to grow and soon developed into a major trading point dealing in pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, etc., which were and still are famous for their quality.

The Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, Italians and Portuguese helped Kochi emerge as a bustling centre of commercial activity, connecting the mainland to the rest of the world. Kochi owes a lot to great travellers, scholars and traders like Fa Hien, Vasco da Gama, Sir Robert Bristow, etc. to her growth and prosperity. The English called Kochi 'Mini England', the Dutch called it 'Homely Holland' and the Portuguese called it 'Little Lisbon' highlighting Kochi's prominence. Italian traveller Nicolas Conti wrote in his travelogue: "China is where you make your money, then Cochin is surely the place to spend it."

Over the centuries, the princely state of Kochi came under numerous empires. Over time, the original local rulers were controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch , British and even the Zamorin of Kozhikode (Calicut). Around 1530 AD, under the Portuguese, Kochi grew into a prosperous town. The ruler of Kochi gave the Portuguese permission to build a fort at Kochi called 'Manuel Kotta' (Fort Emmanuel) - which is the first European fort in Kochi.

The Dutch invasion began around 1653 and by 1663 they emerged victorious over the Portuguese. The Dutch then built Fort Williams here. The Dutch were defeated by the great rulers of Mysore - Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Finally, when the whole nation lost to the British, Kochi too became a part of the British empire in 1814. The magnificent forts built here were destroyed by the British. Under the supervision of Sir Robert Bristow, Kochi was developed into a major harbour and Willingdon Island was created. Willingdon Island now accommodates the Cochin Port, Naval Airport and the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command apart from a host of other trading and commercial establishments.

After India became independent in 1947, the state of Kerala was formed in 1956 by the unification of provinces Kochi, Malabar and Travancore. The Corporation of Kochi was formed in 1967 by the merger of the towns - Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Ernakulam and many nearby villages. Growth in trade and commercialisation has led to the rise of Kochi as the most important city in Kerala and one of the major cities on the west coast of India.

Arts & Crafts

In a land where coconut trees abound like the air you breathe, most of the Arts and Crafts in Kerala are wickered and engraved around the coconut. The state is famed also for its cast bell metal work, jewelry, granite idols, pillars, coir, coconut shell products, wood carvings - especially that of rosewood or sandalwood - snake boat models and other figurines. Arts and Crafts in Kerala majorly comprise the Kerain - the coconut palm. (Kerala could well have derived its name from it - the land of coconut palm). Coir, the fiber of coconut, is extensively used in the arts and crafts all the way from Cochin to Alleppey.

Once in this colorful country, you will obtain a first-hand encounter of the arts and crafts in Kerala through the numerous roadside booths vending doormats, wall-hangings and carpets that are extended in a gorgeous exhibition. As a visitor, you cannot help but be fascinated by the expertise of the coir crafters who spin the fibers into the ropes using traditional hand spindles. The spun fiber finds their way to the coir factories from where they are exported abroad.

Coconut shells and coconut wood sparkle like marble when polished. They are used by the crofters to create souvenirs and trinkets. However, one often finds it difficult to distinguish between wares made of coconut shells and tortoise shells, the latter being forbidden. A bulk of these handicrafts is exported. These include: polished coconut ashtrays, lamp stands, flower vases, reed mats, purses, bags and carved wooden furniture.

Buffalo-horn carving is very much in vogue with the horn pared and whittled into various artistic frames. It has attractive translucency and is most evident when it is carved with wood resembling ebony. Beautifully grained teak, scarlet rosewood and the fragrant sandalwood are preferred. The metal-ware of Kerala especially the beautiful oil lamps that are either free-standing or hanging. The hanging lamps include: horse lamps, elephant lamps and bird lamps. Finally, Kerala is a bourgeoning state that summons visitors with the enchantment of its native Arts and Crafts.