Kingdoms of Kerala

Kerala is one of the southernmost states of India. During the early historic period, or possibly even earlier, the region under the Chera rulers is recorded to have established trade relations across the Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean with the Middle East and the Greco-Roman world, as part of the spice trade, particularly in pepper. The medieval Cheras of Kerala, although at times subject to the influence of more powerful rulers of southern India, continued to dominate the region until the 12th century CE. Following the disintegration of the Chera kingdom, several minor states arose in Kerala, the most notable being the kingdoms of Quilon (Venad), Calicut (ruled by the Zamorins), and Cannanore (or Kolathunad).

In 1498 CE, Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama established a direct sea route to India by sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, at the southern tip of Africa, and landing at the port of Calicut (Kozhikode), where he encountered long-established Middle Eastern Muslim merchants. The Portuguese were soon followed by the Dutch, the French and finally by the English. By the late 18th century, the English had overpowered all the other European powers on the Malabar Coast. After a brief period of Mysorean hegemony, the English East India Company took direct control of northern Kerala, including the former territories of Cannanore and Calicut. They also brought the kingdoms of Travancore, recently consolidated under its charismatic ruler, Marthanda Varma, and Cochin in southern and central Kerala under their influence. British control over Kerala continued until India achieved independence in 1947.