Kochi, in 1660-1663 Goda Varma's Cochin Army fighting against Dutch Army

Kochi, in 1660-1663 Goda Varma's Cochin Army fighting against Dutch Army

Kochi is a city located in the Ernakulam District in the Indian state of Kerala. Old Kochi loosely refers to a group of islands including Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Mundamveli. In Mundamveli there is a historically significant Portuguese church named St. Louis and the largest celebration of this church is related to the feast of St. Jacob (Santhyapunnyalan (called by the people of Mundamveli). Today Kochi includes Ernakulam, old parts of Kochi,Kumbalangi, and outlying islands.

Dutch period (1663–1773)[edit]

The Bolgatty Palace, built in 1744, by Dutch traders, is one of the oldest existing Dutch-era palaces outside of the Netherlands.

The Portuguese rule was followed by that of the Dutch, who had by then conquered Quilon, after various encounters with the Portuguese and their allies. Discontented members of the Cochin Royal family called on the assistance of the Dutch for help in overthrowing the Cochin Raja. The Dutch successfully landed at Njarakal and headed on to capture the fort at Pallippuram, which they handed over to the Zamorin.

Mysorean invasion[edit]

Main article: Mysore invasion of Kerala

The 1773 conquest of the Mysore King Hyder Ali in the Malabar region descended to Kochi. The Kochi Raja had to pay a subsidy of one hundred thousand of Ikkeri Pagodas (equalling 400,000 modern rupees). Later on, in 1776, Haider captured Trichur, which was under the Kingdom of Kochi. Thus, the Raja was forced to become a tributary of Mysore and to pay a nuzzar of 100,000 of pagodas and 4 elephants and annual tribute of 30,000 pagodas. The hereditary prime ministership of Cochin came to an end during this period.