Cochin has long been one of the important trading centers of India, attracting seafarers and traders from far and wide.

vernacular 3This historic port-city on the Malabar coast in the state of Kerala, has some of the very first vernacular mosques, which reveals a distinctive bequest.

The surviving mosques of Cochin are a part of the rich cultural history of the Malabar Coast of India.  It stands as powerful visible expression of integration of two different cultures. Manyvernacular 1 of these fine old mosques have recently been demolished or remodeled, and replaced by concrete structures.

This is one of the projects that the c-hed has carried out with the support of Ford Foundation, the project has been completed and the same has been brought out in a book form.