| 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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