The city of Kochi is the biggest
and most important port in Kerala. Many small towns and villages
like Fort Cochin, Mattanchery, Ernakulam, Edapally, Vytilla,
Vennala, Tevara, Manamangalam, Vypin, Vallarpadom, Thopumpady,
Kannamali, Eda Kochi, Bolghatty and Palluruthy form a part
of Kochi. There have been different views about the name of
the city, but it is not known exactly from where it originated.
The Kochi harbor boasts of a glorious past. It earned a
significant position on the world trading routes after massive
flooding of the river Periyar in 1340 AD destroyed the world
famous port at Kodugallur. After this, Kochi started to grow
and soon developed into a major trading port dealing in pepper,
cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, etc.
The Chinese, Arabs, British, Dutch and Portuguese helped Kochi
to emerge as a bustling center of commercial activity, connecting
the mainland to the rest of the world. Many great travelers,
scholars and traders like Fa Hien, Vasco da Gama, Sir Robert
Bristow contributed to the growth of the city. In the year
1530 AD, Kochi was under the rule of the Portuguese, at this
time the city grew into a prosperous town. 'Manuel Kotta',
was the first European fort in Kochi built by the Portuguese.
The Dutch invasion began around 1653 and by 1663 they emerged
victorious over the Portuguese. It was then that the Dutch
built Fort Williams here. In the year 1814, Kochi became a
part of the British colony. The Willingdon Island, which now
accommodates the Kochi Port, Airport and the Head Quarters
of Southern Naval Command, was developed under the supervision
of the British ruler, Sir Robert Bristow. After India became
independent in 1947, the state of Kerala was formed by the
unification of provinces Kochi, Malabar and Travancore in
1956. In 1967 the Corporation of Kochi was formed, which included
the towns of Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Ernakulam and many nearby
villages.
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