16th Century Sailing Ship On The Malabar Coast – 2 Postcards 1910
Two 1910 postcards of 16th-century sailing ships on the Malabar Coast. Countries in Europe during the Middle Ages scrambled to find the source of pepper, a rare exotic spice that was equivalent in weight to gold. Only the Arab traders who brought spices to sell in the markets of Europe knew the secret. They kept the secret to themselves for centuries.
It was finally disclosed by the Arab traders through threats and intimidation when they arrived at Lisbon for their spice sales. With the secret in hand, the Portuguese set sail halfway around the world in 1497 towards India. To the undiscovered land of Calicut (Kozhikode) on the Malabar Coast where pepper was grown.
Much prized it was considered as black gold by Europeans, Phoenicians, Romans Egyptians, etc. The expedition, with Vasco Da Gama as the captain, landed in Calicut, India in 1497. The Zamorin received them with great hospitality. Arrangements were made for the safety and comfort of the newcomers.
Read more The Spice Trade & the Age of Exploration. See post Vasco Da Gama Before The Zamorin Calicut – Old Postcard.
Did you know- another Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral led an expedition and landed at Cochin now Kochi in 1500.
From the collection- 1971 Raja Ravi Varma Commemorative First Day Cover., Nizam of Hyderabad VI – Photogravure 1915., Abu’s Tomb Meerut – Old Print 1850., Vintage Book – Parry’s Of Madras By Hilton Brown