Introduction

  • Jose Abraham
Chapter
Part of the Postcolonialism and Religions book series (PCR)

Abstract

Its strategic location on the ancient trade map of the Indian Ocean World, its extensive open west coast, and the availability of pepper1 and other valuable products in it attracted many foreign merchants to the Kerala coast from very early times. The history of trade between West Asia and Malabar2 begins as early as the Phoenician period.3 King Solomon is thought to have built a fleet of merchant ships in the tenth century BC in order to trade with Ophir, which may be today’s port of Beypore near Calicut, Malabar.4 Malabar is the place from which Moses is supposed to have obtained cinnamon and cassia (Exodus 30:23–24) and Solomon to have received ivory, apes, and peacocks.5

Keywords

Modern Education Nationalist Movement Kerala Coast Islamic Principle Hindu Woman 
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Notes

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© Jose Abraham 2014

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  • Jose Abraham

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