Cochin History, Heritage and Legacy

[mohammedirshad06]

Friends,

Our city is rich in heritage and cultural history. One of the India's longest reigned Independent Kingdom from 13th century to 20th century.

The history of Kochi is indeed part of the history of Kerala and India and perhaps changed the story of the world, during Age of Discovery.

This thread is meant to discuss history, share pics, maps, records, documents etc of historical interest, myths, legends, folklore as well as stories/news related to our city's great heritage.

[mohammedirshad06]

Picture of Fort Kochi in 1640s

Fort Kochi was once capital of Portuguese India and later Dutch India. The grand fort at Kochi, was built in 1503 by Portuguese as Fort Immanuel, in honour of the Great Portuguese Emperor- King Immanuel. The terroritory marked the first terroritory in India, to be managed by Europeans, granted by H.H Unni Goda Varma Thirumalpadu Maharaja of Kochi (Trimumpara Raja in Portuguese records) as a silver grant to Afonso de Albuquerque, the first Head of Portuguese India and second Portuguese Governor.

The glory of Fort Kochi was enshrined, when Portuguese adopted the First Bastion of the fort, in their emblem, which remained as Seal of Portuguese India till 1950s.

[mohammedirshad06]

Paintings of Dutch Kochi, when a large fleet of Dutch ships anchored at Kochi Harbour.

[mohammedirshad06]

The Royal Seal of Kingdom of Kochi




The Royal Standard (Flag) of Kochi Kingdom effective from 1167 AD to 1948 AD.

[malluland]

Just saw this thread now - lots of great info MI.

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

The Royal Seal of Kingdom of Kochi




The Royal Standard (Flag) of Kochi Kingdom effective from 1167 AD to 1948 AD.

[mohammedirshad06]

H.H Parakshit Thampuran, the last Maharaja of Kochi (on extreme left), receiving H.H Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma, the last Maharaja of Travancore (on center) at Kochi Airport in November 1947, to sign Declaration of Thiru-Kochi state, as part of Unification of two princely states.

[mohammedirshad06]

The royal Crown of Kochi.

One of the most famous and expensive crowns in the country, the Cochin Crown was presented by Emperor Immanuel of Portugal to H.H Veera Kerala Varma Maharaja of Kochi on his coronation day. Especially designed by leading Portuguese royal jewellers of Lisbon, this crown is made of pure gold, studded with 101 diamonds, 301 rubies and 1001 several precious stones, as per Hindu texts, based on a model design of Kulashekara Crowns (the Chera Imperial Crown)

The crown was presented by Portuguese Governor to the Maharaja on his coronation day. But Veera Kerala Varma, found the crown to be too extravagant to his simple tastes and hence didn't prefer to adorn it. He couldn't refuse it, being presented as royal gift, which was a symbol/token of friendship.

Hence he adorn the crown on his lap and ever since that, no Kochi Kings ever worn the crown, rather kept on their right laps, during royal functions.

The crown is well preserved along with other Crown jewels at Hill Palace Museum in Tripunithara.

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

The royal Crown of Kochi.

One of the most famous and expensive crowns in the country, the Cochin Crown was presented by Emperor Immanuel of Portugal to H.H Veera Kerala Varma Maharaja of Kochi on his coronation day. Especially designed by leading Portuguese royal jewellers of Lisbon, this crown is made of pure gold, studded with 101 diamonds, 301 rubies and 1001 several precious stones, as per Hindu texts, based on a model design of Kulashekara Crowns (the Chera Imperial Crown)

Its believed, there are 11 mock-up crowns designed in similar fashion, to be used for 11 major functions of the state. The original Cochin Crown where used only 3 times a year- On the Athachamayam day, First day of Annual durbar and on the Thiruonam Day.

Rest for all other functions, the mock-up crowns were used. Each crown is possesed by 11 thavazhis or dynasties of the family. Its believed, only ladies of the royal family can possess the crown, as the family believed in strict matillineral relationships. All the 11 crowns were sold off by H.H Rama Varma Maharaja to fund for Shornur-Cochin Railway line, along with other temple jewels.

[mohammedirshad06]

Map of Fort Kochi (The City of Cochin) in 1672

Fort Kochi is believed to be first Municipality in the country, formed in April 18th, 1664, , when Dutch Government of Kochi, established a City Council. Perhaps, it may be the first City Government/Municipality in entire Sub-continent that time.

The City council was of civilian in nature, was separated from Dutch Government, which was more of military in nature.

The council was disbanded when Dutch handed over Fort Kochi to British Government.

[mohammedirshad06]

Hendrik van Rheede

The most celebrated Dutch Governor of Kochi, whom Kochinites used to refer Rheedekaipthan.....

He was instrumental in preparing Hortus Malabaricus, an encyclopedia on flora of Malabar coast, prepared in between 1678-1693. The book is a detailed introspection into more than 740 plants grown in Indian sub continent and detailed thesis on its rare medical properties and other values.

Hendrik was one of the most trust loyal of Kochi Maharaja H.H Veera Kerala Varma V, when his sister (later the Queen of Kochi) was saved by Hendrik by arresting her and placing inside Malabar House, during the Coup d'état happened in Kochi Royal family, by few members of the house. Hendrik played an important role in suppressing the Coup and helping Veera Kerala Varma V to become the next King.

In return, the King, provided the services of Itti Achuden, a respectable Royal doctor of Kochi Family, for assisting Hendrik in preparing his dream book- Hortus Malabaricus.

[mohammedirshad06]

The Dutch Generals where considered to be most trusted loyalists of Kochi Kings. As a result, they are invited for all Durbar meets at Kochi Palace.

The lithograph shows the grand receptions accorded to Dutch Governors for their attendance at Kochi Durbars.

[rkpai13]

Nice collections.. All are very informative. Thank you very much

[mohammedirshad06]

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr



Old picture of David Hall

David Hall- Fort Kochi

One of the last classified surviving buildings of Dutch Empire in the world, David Hall, was the residence of Dutch Chief Commanders, who were initially the Dutch Governors of India. David Hall, was thus, the office of Dutch Government in Indian Sub continent.

Several leading Dutch Commanders resided in this spartan building, build in traditional Dutch style commissioned in 1660 AD. The 4500 sqft single storey bungalow also hosted the War Office.

After years of neglect, today this building was taken over by Government of Netherlands thro' its Indian arm CNO and managed by Kochi's leading Hotel chain- Casino as CGH David Hall- as an European Gallery and Cafe.

It was here, Dutch Commander and Governor Hendrik wrote the famous book- Hortus Malabaricus

[mohammedirshad06]

Chera Emperor Mahamahan Sri Sri Bhaskara Varman Thiruvadikal, issuing Copper Grants to Jews to fled from Israel due to West Asian conflicts in 750 AD, to Joseph Rabban. The Copper plant granted Jews to reside freely in Chera terrorities and settled down in Anjavaram near North Paravur for construction of 72 houses and own as free citizens without any discrimination and with full privileges of worship. The Joseph Rabban was also designated title- Thampuran- Prince of Jews.



The grant issued to Joseph, written in ancient Sangam Tamil-Malayalam language.

It read as

We have granted to Joseph Rabban the village of Anjuvannam together with the 72 proprietary rights, tolls on boats and carts, the revenue and title of Anjuvannam, the lamp of the day, a cloth spread in front to walk on, a palanquin, a parasol, a Vaduga (i.e., Teluge) drum, a trumpet, a gate way, a garland, decoration with festoons, and so forth.

"We have granted him the land tax and weight tax; moreover, we have sanctioned with these copper plates that he need not pay the dues which the inhabitants of the other cities pay the Royal palace, and that he may enjoy the benefits which they enjoy. To Joseph Rabban the Prince of Anjuvannam and to his descendants sons and daughters and to his nephews, and to the sons-in-law who married his daughters in natural succession. So long as the world and moon exist, Anjuvannam shall be his hereditary possession. Hail

[vu3nnn]

A sea of change has happened to Fort Kochi's past map and today's map.

How neatly the buildings are organized and well arranged in those times?

Can we recongize or related whats of today?

When the British took over from the Dutch, they demolished the Fort walls and most of the important buildings, and blocked the entrance of the port from the accumulated rubble, as a "poison pill strategy" as during that time there was a real danger that Napoleon Bonaparte would land in India and capture Cochin. The British had more-or-less resigned to such a fate until fate decreed otherwise. This is why "Fort" Cochin has no fort walls!

Similarly, earlier when the Dutch took over Fort Cochin from Portuguese the entire fort was pillaged and re-build. So the Fort Cochin of today is only a pale imitation, and actually the left-overs of what once existed.

The Fire at Marine Drive Circus was one the biggest in that time. This also made an end to hosting Circus in Marine Drive.....

I've been to a circus show at Marine Drive sometime in early 1990s. By mid 1990s the circus stopped coming to Marine Drive, and is hosted at Manapatiparambu instead.

[thanseem]

Wow! What a thread!!!

Thanks Irshad..expecting more..

[DileepKS]

Nitpick: Was royal consorts of Indian Princes accorded the title "Her Highness"? Didn't think so.

The status of nethyars of Cochin was interesting. The saying is "They were untouchable during the day, and immensely touchable during night". As I read the various accounts, they were, in fact, like toys. Often cherished, expensive or high maintenance, but toys nevertheless.

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by DileepKS

Nitpick: Was royal consorts of Indian Princes accorded the title "Her Highness"? Didn't think so.

The status of nethyars of Cochin was interesting. The saying is "They were untouchable during the day, and immensely touchable during night". As I read the various accounts, they were, in fact, like toys. Often cherished, expensive or high maintenance, but toys nevertheless.

Well, the term Her Highness was accorded only to actual Queens.... In Travancore, the main/elder sister of regining Maharaja of Travancore carries the designation of H.H Sree Padmanabha Sevini, whereas the queens who governed the state, carries additional titles Vanchi Vardini-Rajarajaeswari etc..... The King Mother or Amma Maharani also entitled to carry H.H....

Whereas in Kochi, the seniormost lady or Penvazhithampuran were only entitled to carry H.H, while others as H.E.....

But in Parukutty Neythar Amma's case was bit unique... He Husband H.H Rama Varma was not entitled to the throne, but soon after her marriage, his elder brother who the former King passed away, while the Penvazhithampuran after appointing Rama Varma soon abdicated.... There was a major crisis in the family for appointment of new Penvazhithampuran and said that it went on till end of 1920s, after which finally a new lady was appointed

Due to this time period, there was no actual queen in Kochi, under whose name orders have to be issued. Parukutty Neytharamma took over this position untill final appointment and hence she was the only Nair Penvazhithampuran in the Kochi Family till the date. Perhaps it appear too odd that during period from 1914 to 1932, majority of orders, declarations etc were signed and declared in Parukutty's name, not the regining Maharaja, barring those correspondences to British and few important treaties/agreements etc.... The Maharaja was spending most of his time in Ollur and Shornour pursing his interest in Ayurveda etc....

Due to, the title H.H Consort Queen was conferred upon her and all records carry the same..... Normally Consorts of Kerala Kings are normally known as Srimati or Sarvashri etc..... Not H.H

[DileepKS]

Thanx for the clarification MI

[Arunz]

Link : Manorama