Kochi

Kochi, or Cochin, is a harbour on the Malabar coast sheltered by islands and backwaters. It became a major outlet for pepper and other spices from the inland hills. Hindu rulers governed the kingdom, while Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities participated in the port’s commercial life. Its position drew ships from across the Indian Ocean, and its rivalry with the powerful Zamorin of Calicut shaped its alliances.

The Portuguese established a trading post at Cochin in 1502. When the Zamorin attacked the raja, Portuguese forces helped defend their ally and built a fort in 1503. Cochin became a principal base for Portuguese trade and warfare in the Indian Ocean, though its local ruler retained a court. The Portuguese presence also brought missionary institutions and persecution that affected established communities. Jewish residents maintained synagogues and trading links, and some found refuge under the raja’s protection. In 1663 the Dutch captured Cochin after a siege, ending Portuguese control of the port. The Dutch East India Company sought to direct the pepper trade through agreements with the raja, while the city remained a meeting place for merchants from many regions. British forces took Cochin from the Dutch in 1795. Its fort, warehouses, places of worship and waterways bear witness to the long history of commerce and competition on the Malabar coast.