Kollam

How did cultural exchange shape Kollam?

Kollam is an ancient seaport and the fourth largest city in the Indian state of Kerala, located on the southern tip of the Malabar Coast along the Arabian Sea. Serving as a prominent maritime entrepôt for millennia, the city has maintained a vibrant commercial and cultural reputation since ancient times.

Historically, a wide array of foreign civilizations engaged in trade at the port of Kollam, including the Arabs, Phoenicians, Chinese, Ethiopians, Syrians, Jews, Chaldeans, and Romans. During the ninth century, the Persian merchant Sulaiman al-Tajir noted that Kollam was the sole port in India visited by massive Chinese junks on their way to Canton. Later, the Venetian traveller Marco Polo visited Kollam in 1275 while in Chinese service under Kublai Khan. Because of this extensive trade, Desinganadu's Rajas exchanged formal embassies with Chinese rulers, and a flourishing Chinese settlement established deep roots within the city. Ibn Battuta also documented Kollam in the 14th century as one of the five Indian ports he observed during his twenty-four-year travels.

Cultural and religious exchanges brought diverse global faiths to the region. Kollam is home to one of the seven churches established by St. Thomas, as well as one of the ten oldest mosques in Kerala believed to have been founded by Malik Deenar. In 822 AD, two East Syriac bishops, Mar Sabor and Mar Proth, settled in the area with their followers, later founding the port at Tangasseri in 825 AD. This rich linguistic and cultural mixing also led to a historic literary milestone on 20 October 1578, when Thambiran Vanakkam was printed in the Tamil language at Kollam, marking the first book ever published in an Indian language.

Today, the city of Kollam functions as a microcosm of Kerala, reflecting a diverse population of varied linguistic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. While the majority of residents practice Hinduism, sizeable communities of Muslims and Christians contribute significantly to the local demographic tapestry. The city continues to host historic landmarks representing these intertwined traditions, including ancient temples, centuries-old churches, and mosques such as the 300-year-old Juma-'Ath Palli at Karuva, which preserves the mortal remains of Sufi saint Syed Abdur Rahman Jifri. Further details on these historical networks and local administration can be found directly through the Kollam reference page.