Cochin On The Coast Of Malabar During The Dutch Era, 1812 Print

Cochin On The Coast Of Malabar During The Dutch Era, 1812 Print

A nice 1812 print, view of Cochin On The Coast Of Malabar during the Dutch era. This beautiful print was first engraved in 1772. It shows the once-fortified city of Cochin (Kochi, Kerala) that the Dutch occupied at the time. The British captured the city from the Dutch in 1795.

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in India via the maritime route in 1498. They were on the pepper trail when they first stepped foot in Calicut (Kozhikode). The King of Portugal chose Vasco Da Gama to lead the flotilla to India. He brought back spices from Calicut that signaled great future profits for the Crown of Portugal.

The exploration was also perhaps the beginning of colonization by foreign powers. Because of difficulties with the Calicut Zamorin (King), the Portuguese moved south to Cochin in 1500, led by then Admiral Pedro Álvares Cabral. The Portuguese were firmly established in Cochin for over 160 years until they were defeated by the Dutch in 1663. Click on the image to enlarge view.

Did you know – Vasco Da Gama reached back to Lisbon from Calicut in 1499, the crew was in bad shape as half of the men had died during this return voyage.

Past posts – The First Oleograph Printed In The Raja Ravi Varma Press In 1894., Military Games In British Era Poona, 1900 Photo., Madras From The Lighthouse – Old Postcard 1903., Landing Jetty For Passengers At Apollo Bunder Bombay, 1880 Print.