The city of Cochin, well known for its rich heritage and pluralistic culture, has been influenced by various cultures and nationalities, leaving their impressions in the fields of architecture, arts, crafts, cultural and heritage institutions.
Tracking and documenting of heritage footprints of a city is an important task. Documentation and listing done in this regard is of great significance as it is from this platform that the heritage conservation efforts are built up.
The c-hed has been into such a project which would form the base for various major heritage conservation projects.
This project, initiated by c-hed, has been going on for the last couple of years. The project includes the detailed survey and documentation of heritage of Cochin including natural features and resources, cultural, environment and built heritage, cultural traditions and institutions.
Maps of Cochin in Portuguese Period & Dutch Period
British Period Plan for Willingdon Island
Etymologically, Cochin is the latest name given to this beautiful land in its various manifestations.
There are also people from the sub-continent who came here at intervals and made Cochin their home. Gujrathis, Jains, Konkanis, Punjabis, Tamils, Marathis, Bengalis, Pathans, Kutchis, Saits, to name a few. This vibrant cultural landscape, wherein almost sixteen different linguistic and cultural groups co-exist even today, is marked by its rich customs, traditions and art forms. The modern Cochin city can be envisaged as a classical example of creating an urban area in which diversity becomes a source of strength rather than of conflict.
subsequent to the Neolithic in Kerala, also witnessed intense human occupational activities in this area as the evidences envisage. Further research has to be carried out in order to ascertain the exact nature of the man-environment interaction of those distant past.
Material evidences in the forms of Monuments, Ceramics, Coins, Inscription, Icons and Architecture do substantiate what is in the written form. In the context of history and culture, the geographic extent of Cochin would cover, besides the city of Cochin, adjoining areas like Kodungallor, Paravur, Chendamangalam and Tripunithura.
In Chendmangalam, Paravoor, Ernakulam, Mattanchery and elsewhere you see Synagogues standing as dynamic link between the past and the time they were built. The Chinese and the others from East Asia had also started their interaction with the land sooner or later. From the Medieval period onwards a strong presence of Chinese was visible in this area. Digging into occupational layers belonging to Medieval period, whether it is in Kodungalloor, Tripunithura or at Mattanchery would certainly yield a sizable number of Chinese made celadon ceramic ware. And for that matter, the Chinese fishing net, considered as a unique feature of Cochin, is believed to have its origin in Our Chinese connection.
The city’s ever-growing demand and potential for growth opportunities constantly interact and depend on it valuable natural and cultural heritage.
The trade activities flourished after Kodungalloor port and Jews, Konkinis and many other ethnic groups moved to Cochin and settled here. In 17th century AD, the Dutch and subsequently British in 18th century invaded Cochin. The Fort Cochin, Mattanchery and Fort Vypeen placed right at the sea mouth has experienced immense trade related activities and has developed a rich pluralistic culture and tradition unique to this heritage zone. This is reflected in the heritage of this area, which exhibits great monuments, structures and settlements of outstanding heritage value. Fort Cochin and Mattanchery can proudly claim the uniqueness in the entire heritage zone which is not seen anywhere else in the region, and this makes it a major attraction for the tourists as well.
As many cultural and religious institutions with some of the oldest temples churches, mosques and synagogues also become part of this heritage zone. Heritage structures, which represent many cultural and ethnic groups who have come and settled here during its history, are spread all over. City level institutions such as the Cochin Municipal Corporation, GIDA etc culminate at the northern part with the High Court complex of the state. Most of all, the city’s breathing spaces such as the Subhash Park, the walkway at Marine Drive and the Durbar Hall round etc are the most used and celebrated public spaces of the city.
Canal Networks is part of our regional heritage planning. These canal systems can be commonly experienced throughout in Kerala in the low-lying coastal areas. They, once upon a time, used to be the drainage system, transportation corridor and irrigation system of traditional development. The entire development in the low-lying coastal areas has been dependent on such canal systems integrated by backwaters, lagoons and Estuary and was instrumental for trade and commercial activities. The Canals Network in Cochin is very much intertwined with rivers and backwaters. Most of the traditional areas and heritage zones are connected by such canal system. Most public spaces, settlements and institutions are also grown along them.
Mangalavanam gained importance because of the mangrove vegetation, and also due to the congregation of commonly breeding birds. Apart from these, it is considered a ‘green lung’ of Ernakulam City, which is polluted by many industries and motor vehicles.
Cochin Estuary is and important Natural Ecological feature in the entire Vembanad Lake Region. The Vembanad Lake Region, which extends about 70 kms to the South of the Cochin Sea mouth and 35 kms to the North, flushes out 7 major rivers through Cochin Estuary. A major transactional point for most of the marine species and habitat for many of them, Cochin Estuary becomes a major zone of great environmental significance.This zone also becomes Cochin City’s most happening place with the placement of Port and proposed container transshipment, navy etc. right the harbour.
The main area covers the following major heritage features like the Fort area, Hill Palace, Temples, Palaces, Malikas, Churches, Christian settlement, Tamil Brahmin settlement and Konkini settlement.
forum at the SN Higher Secondary School, Thrikkanarvattom on August 18th, 2004. The heritage forum is intended to familiarize school children with the rich culture and heritage of the land and introduce them to the concepts of preservation, conservation and management of heritage structures. Prof.M.K.Sanu was the chief guest on the occasion.