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Cochin,
Kerala,
India
Name
of a former princely state, Cochin, or Kochi, today refers to a cluster of
islands and towns, including Ernakulam, Mattancheri, Fort Cochin, Willingdon
Island, Vypin Island, and Gundu Island. The Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares
Cabral founded the first European settlement on Indian soil at Cochin in 1500.
Vasco da Gama, discoverer of the sea route to India, established the first
Portuguese factory (trading station) there in 1502, and the Portuguese viceroy
Afonso de Albuquerque built the first European fort in India there in 1503.
The city remained a Portuguese possession until it was conquered by the Dutch
in 1663. Much Portuguese architecture still exists in the city.
Cochin prospered under Dutch rule (1663-1795), shipping pepper, cardamom, other
spices and drugs, coir, coconut, and copra. All of the city's racial and
religious groups, including its Hindu majority and Muslim, Syrian Christian, and
Jewish minorities, shared in the city's prosperity. British rule over Cochin
lasted from 1795 until 1947. In early 20th century, a modern port with dry docks
and ship repair yards was constructed, and Willingdon Island (connecting Fort
Cochin with Ernakulam and other townships by a rail bridge and road) was built
from the dredgings of the harbor's inner channels. After India's independence,
Cochin became the major training centre for the Indian Navy.
Cochin, set among picturesque lagoons and backwaters, attracts a considerable
tourist trade. At Fort Cochin is St. Francis Church, built by the Portuguese in
1510 and reputedly the first European church on Indian soil. It was for a time
the burial place of Vasco da Gama before his remains were taken to Portugal.
Other churches as well as Hindu temples, mosques, and the historic Pardesi
synagogue at Mattancheri all stand in the area. The Jewish community in Cochin
was the oldest in India, claiming to date from the 4th century CE. However,
almost all of its several thousand members had emigrated to Israel by the late
20th century; only about twenty families still remain.
♣
Fort Cochin
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Chinese
fishing nets (1,
2) ...
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... from
Kublai Khan's days
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Lowering (raising)
the net
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Santa Cruz
Basilica (1505 CE)
(front/rear)
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St. Peter's
and St. Paul's
Orthodox Syrian church
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Our Lady of
Life's church
(1, 2,
3)
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Kalamezhuthu
floor art
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Mattancherry
palace (1,
2)
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Palace mural
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Bedchamber
painting
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Port of Cochin
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Dutch cemetery
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Mutton shop in
Fort Cochin
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Kashi art cafe
(more)
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Kabaddi,
Kabaddi
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St. George
Orthodox
Syrian church
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Hindu-style
oil lamps for
Christian "puja"
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Catch of the
day (1, 2)
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Someone's
dinner
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Jew Town and Pardesi Synagogue |
Jew town
street
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Jewish store
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Malabar spices
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Fragrance shop
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Spices
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A very large
Varpu
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Art cafe
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False
marketing?
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Pardesi
Synagogue (1, 2)
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Bell tower
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Inscription in
the courtyard
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Inside (more)
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Story of the Jews in India ...
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Ancient (1,
2, 3,
4, 5)
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Medieval (1)
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Modern (1)
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St. Francis Church |
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A Kathakali Performance |
Makeup time (more)
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Performer (more)
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Kathakali, or
story-play
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The Brahmin
and Bhima
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The Brahmin
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Bhima (1,
2, 3)
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The Demon (1,
2, 3)
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The Demon and
Bhima (1, 2)
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A Kalaripayattu Performance |
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(more)
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