Having just read "Santa and the Scribes: The making of Fort Kochi" by E.P. Unny; here I am reading yet another book on Fort Kochi.
I am unable to understand why Kodungallur is shown on the other side of Fort Kochi? Ink on paper, from it being an ancient sea-port to the reign of Portuguese, Dutch and British Empires, to the Indian Independence in 1947, the story- telling like style of depiction provides an appealing flavour, with personal anecdotes that makes it an interesting read. The pages are of high quality but delicately bound, just like her history.
Kochi has been mentioned in Roman and Greek writings from time immemorial. With trade at Muziris, arrived a multitude of Cultures and religions to Kerala: the first mosque in AD629, a Jewish synagogue of the 13th century, though Jews are belived to have arived in AD 72 when their second temple was destroyed and an ancient church dating back to AD 52 to commemorate the legendary arrival of St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ. Muziris thrived within its own development, creating a strong culture for itself and a wealth that was limitless.
The origin of the name Cochin has two options, one from the early Chinese traders who called the harbour 'Co-chin' in today's vietnam, and other 'Kochazhi' meaning small harbour (in comparison to Kodungallur)
Muzris thrived untill the flood of 1314.
In 1522 Konkani's from Goa too settled here after their land was lost, and believe that their idol protects them and the land. In 1599 Thirumala Devasam Temple was build. After a fight with Thripunthara, it was taken for a short period of time to Allapuzha when Allapuzha started to prosper.
Mapillas is believed to be Ma- Mother, Pilla - child, mothers child.
Portuguese were here from 1498 AD to 1662 AD.: One of the 7 bastions of fort kochi and the mount, because of the lake build to save from rain. After Vasc0-Da- Gama Pedro Alveraz Caberal, arrived in 1500. After Albuquerque's death in 1515 there was no suitable successor.
1503 first Portuguese Fort, Manuelkotta was built. in 1506 Santa Cruz Church was build. In 1555 Matanchery Dutch palace was build.
Dutch were in Cochin from 1663 to 1795. 1668 Dutch fort was build. 1749 Bolghatty palace was build.
In 1661 the Dutch captured Vypeen Island, established a fort there, called 'Fort Orange' and later handed it over to the Zamorin. Futher the Dutch took over Kodungallur, and in 1662 attached Cochin from Vypeen, assisted by the Zamorin.
Mysorean supremacy began with Hyder Ali's attack upon Calicut in 1766. In 1789 Tipu entered Trichur, slaying non-muslims and subjecting them to forced conversion to Islam. Hundreds fell at the sword of Tippu. The Raja Shakthan Tampuran moved the English for support, entering into an agreement with the English East India Company in January 1971.
Dutch power was at its ebb at this point, the situation worsened by the Napoleonic war in Europe where Holland was fighting against England. Formal handover of Cochin to English took place finally in 1814.
British Cochin : 1795 to 1947 The author met Diarmuid McCormick in Fort Kochi, who described good old days and how things have changed. Though British conquest took place in 18th century, the first Englishman to have reached Indian shore was Ralph Fitch who arrived in Cochin way back in 1583.
When British were challenged they were supressed. Revolts were seen in three parts of the state including Kochi towards 18th century, headed by Paliath Achan (PM of Raja of Kochi from 1632 to 1809). In Fort Cochin, it began at the Kurishingal Tharavad. Kochi was made a municipality in 1866 . K.B. Jacob was its first chairman. After his death, in 1930 his son K.J. Herschel undertook the leadership of freedom movement in Cochin.
In 1947, the freedom was celebrated in pouring rain, with bursting of 301 crackers, each hundred to depict every foreign rule.
Although bristles of change have brushed upon it, the town continues to flourish and exist uniquely. A town, perhaps, like no other.
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