Though there is no clear picture of the Marakkar genealogy as per Kunjali Marakkar history, I believe in the version that suggests they were merchants from Egypt who settled down in Kochi for trade and later moved to Kozhikode. Zamorin picked Kutti Ahmed Ali as the naval admiral of his fleet and gave him the title of вЂ Kunjali MarakkarвЂ and entrusted to protect the sea. Few of these sea traders approached the Zamorin with their own plan to retaliate. The traders here moved further north, probably in Kottakkal. These continuous attacks by the Portuguese were affecting the sea trade and the income of the kingdom. From 1507 to 1524, the Portuguese attacked Ponnani and destroyed the ships and forces of Zamorin. Marakkar family then left forВ Ponnani in theВ ZamorinвЂ™s dominion. But they were all destroyed by the Portuguese. In this battle, Ismail Marakkar вЂ“ a rich MuslimВ marine merchant who was based in Kochi, secretly helped the Zamorin by offering his men and few ships.

Thus, for the first time, the region witnessed rivalries, betrayal, violence and bloodshed.ДЄppointing Kunjali Marakkar вЂ“ Beginning of Kunjali Marakkar history This led to a war between the Zamorins of Kozhikode and the Kochi Raja. Moreover, to take over the trade rights belonging to the local Muslim community and to destabilize the Zamorin, the Portuguese befriended Cochin Raja to be their trade partner. Now, this was naturally not acceptable to the Zamorins.ДЄ painting featuring Vasco Da Gama in the court of Calicut Zamorin They had the audacity to mandate that any ship carrying profitable goods even if it is of Indian origin, had to have a pass from the Portuguese, else they were confiscated. Steadily, the Portuguese began to dictate terms of trade to evict Arab traders from the Malabar. Though Gama returned to Lisbon, he came back to Kozhikode again in 1503 with a strong intention to spread Christianity and monopolize spice trade. Both Zamorin and Gama rubbed each other in the wrong way and a friendly trade talk did not happen. This scenario changed with the arrival of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gamain 1497.

View of Malabar Coast in the 15th Century Though Zamorins followed Hinduism, they were tolerant of other religious ideas and business relations. This was possible through the cordial trade relation the Arab, Chinese and Roman traders had with the people of Malabar for centuries. ZamorinsвЂ“ the rulers of Kozhikode (1124 A.D вЂ“ 1806 A.D) was one of the most talked-about, powerful, wealthy and strong kingdoms in India. Together with Tyndis Heritage, letвЂ™s go back in time, to the medieval period in the Malabar to discuss Kunjali Marakkar history. Most of us in India know about Vasco da Gama but few among us know about the history of Kunjali Marakkar (Kunhali Marakkar) вЂ“ credited with organizing the first naval defence of the Indian coast.

Vasco da gama death