Kollam

For the district with the same name, see Kollam District. For the former kingdom on Malabar Coast, India, see Venad.

Template:Infobox Indian jurisdiction Kollam (Malayalam: കൊല്ലം, anglicised name: Quilon, pronounced koy-lon) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake on the Arabian sea coast and is situated about 71 kilometres (44 mi) north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. It is the headquarters of the Kollam district. Kollam is the fourth largest city in Kerala and is known for cashew processing and coir manufacturing. It is considered to be the southern gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is a prominent tourist destination.

Kollam was formerly called Nelcynda and Thondis or Tyndis. During the rule of the Chera monarchy in southern Kerala, Kollam emerged as the focal point of trade. Kollam continues to be a major business and commercial centre in the central Travancore region of Kerala.

Toponomy

Pepper

The Malayalam calendar, or Kollavarsham, was created in Kollam at meetings held in the city in 825 CE. The name Kollam is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word Kollam, meaning pepper.

History

Kollam was a flourishing port of the Chera Dynasty until the formation of the Venad kingdom, when it became the capital of the independent Venad kingdom.

Kollam during Chera rule

Kollam shares fame with Kodungallur (Muziris) as an ancient seaport on the Malabar Coast of India from the early centuries of Before the Christian era. Periplus of the Erythraean Sea gives a detailed account of the ports of South India in the 1st century CE. The chronicle mentions inland sea ports of Muziris (near present-day Kodungallur), Nelcynda or Tyndis (also known as kore-ke-ni(inland Kollam) near Backare (Thevalakara) and coastal sea ports of Belita, and Komari (Cape Comorin) as the ports of the Malabar Coast.

Kollam had a sustained commercial reputation from the days of the Phoenicians and Ancient Rome. Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) mentions Greek ships anchored at Muziris and Nelcynda(Tyndis). There was also a land route over the Western Ghats. Spices, pearls, diamonds, and silk were exported to Egypt and Rome from these ports. Pearls and diamonds came to Chera Kingdom from Ceylon and the southeastern coast of India, then known as the Pandyan kingdom.

Among the historical markers that is used in fixing the timeline of Kollam is the date of the death of Mantaran Chera Irumborai. Records indicate that Mantaran Chera Irumborai's death coincides with appearance of Halley's Comet of 141 CE.

"Seven days after a bright comet appeared in the sky, amidst the Mesha constellation, past midnight on the first leg of the starday of Krittikai in the month of Panguni in the first quarter of Anusham(PN:229), with North star going down on the west, Moolam rising from the east and Mrigasirisha wandering above towards north and east of the port of Tondi( present Kollam), Mantaran Cheral Irumborai died suddenly."

Kollam in 1500s

Capture of Kollam in 1661

Kollam in 1800s

Thus the prediction of an imminent [Purananuru, Sangam literature of Ancient Tamils:verses-20,22] loss for the kingdom by the council of Vaanaviyal Kanidar (ancient Vedic astrologers) came true. The mentioned brightly visualized comet that appeared in the said month of March and April points to the Halley's comet of 141 CE(February–April 1 week)[2]. This appearance was recorded in Chinese chronicles of the period as well.

Cosmas Indicopleustes, a Greek Nestorian sailor, in his book the Christian Topography who visited the Malabar coast in 550 CE, mentions an enclave of Christian believers in Male (malayalam). He wrote, "In the island of Tabropane (Ceylon), there is a church of Christians, and clerks and faithful. Likewise at Male Trincomalee in Sri Lanka, where the pepper grows and in the farming community of Kalliana (kalliankal at nillackal) there is also a bishop concentrated in Persia in accordance with the Nicea sunnahadose of 325 AD ." The Nestorian Patriarch Jesujabus, who died in 660 CE, mentions Kollam in his letter to Simon, Metropolitan of Persia. However on close scrutiny of Christian Topography written by Cosmas Indicopleustes does not mention Christianity in Kerala. He says, The island Taprobanê (Sri Lanka) has also a church of Persian Christians who have settled there, and a Presbyter who is appointed from Persia, and a Deacon and a complete ecclesiastical ritual. But the natives and their kings are heathens.The island being, as it is, in a central position, is much frequented by ships from all parts of India and from Persia and Ethiopia, and it likewise sends out many of its own. And from the remotest countries, I mean Tzinista and other trading places, it receives silk, aloes, cloves, sandalwood and other products, and these again are passed on to marts on this side, such as Male, where pepper grows, and to Calliana which exports copper and sesame-logs, and cloth for making dresses, for it also is a great place of business. Cosmos does talk about the Persian Christians under a Presbyter at Taprobane (TamiraBarni the ancient Name of Sri Lanka).He talks about Male, Trincomalee in Sri Lanka as an important trading port which exported pepper.

However the records from ancient Tamil Kingdoms such as Sangam literature which ruled Kollam such as the Early Pandyan Kingdom or Chera Dynasties never mentioned the existence of Christianity in ancient Kerala prior to 825 CE. Christianity was not a distinct religion to ancient Tamils of Kerala but just a faith order in Jesus (isha) as Brahma puthra incorporated in Hinduism as broad Vaishnavism practised by vedic Malayalee Brahmins following the Nicea sunnahadose of 325 AD.

In 825 CE, the Nestorian monks Mar Abo and Mar Proth arrived in Kollam on the invitation of the ruler of the Venad-a feudatory under the Chera kingdom. The two monks received a Royal sanction called "Tarsish-a-palli" near "Korukenikollam" from Chera ruler Rajashekara varman Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal, as described on the Tharisapalli plates. Special privileges were given to the Ezhavas in the Tarisapalli sasanam. The two monks were instrumental in founding Christian churches with Syrian liturgy in the Malabar coast area distinct from ancient Hinduism. Mar Abo lived his last years at Thevalakkara, and his remains were buried there in the Martha Mariam Orthodox Church.

Kollam Port

Kollam sea port was founded by Mar Abo with sanction from Udayamarthandavarma the Tamil king from Venad otherwise called Ay kingdom in 825 AD instead of re opening the inland sea port(kore-ke-ni kollam) near Backare (Thevalakara) also known as Nelcynda and Tyndis to the Romans and The Greeks and Thondi to the Taamils and is also the foundation of the new city. It is also believed that Mar Abo actually volunteered to the Chera king to create a new sea port town near at Kollam instead of his request for renewing the almost vanishing Tyndis or Nelcynda inland sea port(kore-ke-ni) at Kollam,lying idle without trade for a few centuries because of the Cheras being over run by pallavas in the 6th century AD ending the spice trade from Malabar coast. This allowed Mar Abo to stay for many decades in Chera kingdom and streamline Christian faith in the St.Thomas tradition with Syrian liturgy replacing the Sanskrit and Vedic prayers.

Kollam, the capital of Venad 9th to 12 century AD

Chinese fishing net at Kollam

The Malayalam Era began in 825 CE; it is named 'Kolla Varsham' after Kollam, because of the importance of Kollam in the 9th century CE. Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal granted the Tharisapalli plates copper plate grants in 825 CE to Nestorian Monk Mar S(abo)r Iso who he invited to Kollam, transferring to the Tarsish Church and the community in the St. Thomas tradition of Quilon.

A merchant, Soleyman of Siraf of Persia, visited Malabar in the 9th century and found Quilon to be the only port in India used by the huge Chinese ships as their Transhipment hub for their goods on their way from China to the Persian Gulf. The rulers of Kollam (formerly called 'Desinganadu') had trade relations with China and exchanged embassies. According to the records of the Tang Dynasty (618 AD to 913 AD), Quilon was their chief port of call before 7th century AD. The Chinese trade decreased about 600 AD and was again revived in the 13th century.

In 1291, John of Montecorvino a Franciscan monk, became a priest at Quilon. Friar Jordanus Catalini, who arrived in 1321, effected large scale Latin Catholic conversions and was appointed Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon in 1329. Friar Jordanus built a Church called St. Georges Churchwith the patronage of Nestorian spice Merchants at Jona-ka-puram(seat of jordanus katalini)in Kollam and wrote Mirabilia Descripta. However after Giovanni de' Marignolliin 1353,this Latin Church was converted to the Nestorian church by the Nestorian Christians and when Portuguese arrived in 1498 only Nestorian Christianity existed in Kerala in a Visible way.

Marco Polo, who visited China's Kublai Khan's court, traveled through Kollam on his return journey to Venice, and gave an interesting account of the flourishing port of Kollam (coilum, as he called it) and its trade relations inter connectivity with China in the east and Europe to the west. Chinnakada, (China-kada), the city center, was so named after the Chinese merchants. The increase in commercial activity resulted in establishment of a flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam.

Kollam during Portuguese, Dutch and British conquests (16th to 18th centuries)

Kollam fort in 1756 after it had passed from Portuguese rule to the Dutch

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a trading center in Tangasseri, Kollam in 1502, which became the centre of trade in pepper. In the wars with the Moors/Arabs that followed, the ancient church of St Thomas was destroyed. In 1517, the Portuguese built the St. Thomas Fort in Thangasseri, which was destroyed in the subsequent wars with the Dutch. The ruins of the Fort can still be seen in Thangasseri. In 1661, the Dutch took possession of the city. The remnants of the Dutch forts can be found at Thangasseri. In the 18th century, Travancore conquered Kollam, followed by the British in 1795. Thangasseri remains today as an Anglo-Indian settlement, though few Anglo-Indians remain. The Infant Jesus Church in Thangasseri, an old Portuguese-built church, remains as a memento of the Portuguese rule of the area.

Kollam as part of Travancore

Kollam in British era

Velu Thampi Dalawa of Travancore worked to improve Kollam. He helped build new markets and invited merchants and traders from Madras (now Chennai) and Tirunelveli to set up trade in Kollam. Kollam, to this day has a thriving business in cashew nuts, coir and spices.

The history of the district as an administrative unit can be traced back to 1835, when the state of Travancore consisted of two revenue divisions with headquarters at Kollam.

Kollam, revenue district of Kerala (1949 onwards)

At the time of the integrating of Travancore and Cochin districts in 1949, Kollam was one of the three revenue divisions in the state. Later these three revenue divisions were converted into districts. But Shencottah taluka was merged with Madras state consequent to the implementation of the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. Now the district has a single revenue division with its headquarters at Kollam Taluk Cutcherry.

Geography

Kollam is bordered by the Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts on the north and the Thiruvananthapuram district on the south.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Kollam had a population of 361,441 and a population density of 1037 persons per square kilometre. The sex ratio (the number of females per 1000 males) was 1070 during the census year of 2001. The district ranks sixth with respect to the population in the state. The city of Kollam ranks fourth in terms of population in Kerala. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kollam has an average literacy rate of 91.47%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 80%. In Kollam, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Malayalam is the most spoken language. Hindi, English and Tamil are also widely understood in the city.

Civic Administration

British Residency in Kollam

Kollam city is governed by a Municipal Corporation which is elected by the residents of the city. The corporation is divided into 55 divisions. Each division is represented by a councilor elected by the people and the Mayor is elected from among the councilors representing the political party with majority seats. There is a corporation Secretary who is the head of the office staff of the corporation. The present Mayor of Kollam Corporation is Mrs. Prasanna Earnest of the CPI(M). The police administration of the city is under the City Police Commissioner who is an IPS(Indian Police Service) officer and he reports to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Thiruvananthapuram Range. The police administration is under the State Home Department of the Government of Kerala. Kollam City is divided into three sub divisions and each comes under an Assistant Commissioner of Police. There is a City Traffic Police wing for controlling the road traffic of the city. The present Kollam City Police Commissioner is Shri.T.J Jose IPS (DIG).

Transport

Rail

Kollam Railway Station is the third largest railway station in Kerala in terms of area after Shornur Junction and Palakkad Junction with a total of 8 platforms. The metre gauge track from Kollam to Punalur was converted to broad gauge under project Unigauge and was inaugurated by the Hon. Minister for State for Railways, E. Ahmed, on 12 May 2010. The Thiruvananthapuram – Ernakulam (via Kottayam and Alappuzha) line passes through Kollam. Kollam has completely electrified railway tracks. Two railway lines passing through Kottarakkara (Chengannur -Kottarakkara – Thiruvananthapuram) and Punalur (Erumeli – Punalur – Thiruvananthapuram) have been proposed and are awaiting survey.

Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) services are expected to start from Kollam to Ernakulam in late 2010 or early 2011. A MEMU maintenance shed boasts the longest railway platform in Kerala: more than 1 KM long.

[[File:Railtracks at sunset in Kollam.jpg|thumb|A view of the Kollam backwaters]

Roads

The city is connected to other parts of Kerala and India through the National Highways 47, NH 220 and NH 208 and by the railway network. Transport is provided by State owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private transport bus operators. Road transport is also supported by private taxis and autorickshaws, also called autos.

Water

The State Water Transport Department operates boat services to West Kallada, Munroe Island and Alappuzha. Double decker luxury boats run between Kollam and Allepey daily. Luxury boats, operated by Government and private owners, operate from the main boat jetty during the tourist season. The West coast canal system, which starts from Thiruvananthapuram in the south and ends at Hosdurg in the north, passes through the city of Kollam and Karunagappally taluk. The Thiruvananthapuram-Shornur canal, which forms a part of the Thiruvananthapuram-Hosdurg system, runs a distance of about 62 km. The other canal systems include the Paravur Kayal, Kollam canal and Chavara canal.

Kollam Port (Thankasseri Port) is the second largest port in Kerala after Cochin Port Trust, as of 2010. The port is undergoing infrastructural development. The port is located near the city of Kollam. Neendakara and Shakthikulangara are twin fishing harbours in Kollam. Neendakara is one of the busiest fishing harbours in South Kerala. Some port operations are carried out through Neendakara as well.

Industries

Kollam, like other districts in the state, is moderately industrialised. Some of the major employers in the public sector are Indian Rare Earths Limited (IRE) at Chavara, Kerala Metals and Minerals Limited at Chavara, Kerala Primo pipe factory at Chavara; Union Electrical Industries (popularly known as the Meter Company) and Parvathi Spinning at Kollam.

Kundara was known as an industrial area with aluminium, ceramics, starch factories, .Now a SEZ Techno park is been Notified to bring in cutting edge Nano and Information Technology to develop these industries here

Cashew industry and cashew board Cashew processing and coir production are the two most important sources of employment in the private sector. Cashew processing and sorting employs a large share of women workers who manually peel and sort cashews into different categories by size. The Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Limited (KSCDC), Kollam, a Government Company, has 30 cashew factories and employs 20,000 people. Another important source of employment is tile manufacturing using clay. It is expected that a Cashew Board will be set up at Kollam for the development of cashew processing and exporting.

Clay tiles Clay tile manufacturing continues to be a mix of both large scale units and small informal units.

Schools

Infant Jesus and Mount Carmel at Thangasseri were set up during the British Raj as India's leading Anglo-Indian schools while St.Joseph's convent Girls Higher secondary school,Tuet, Govt.Boys Higher secondary school, Thevally and St.Aloysius Higher secondary school have already celebrated the centenary years of cherished existence with over 5,000 students studying in each school. Trinity Lyceum, Krist Raj Boys Higer secondary and Vimala Hridya Girls Higer secondary schools at Pattathanam are the other three Big Schools in Kollam with over five thousand students studying. Other large schools in Kollam include S.N.Public, S.N. trust, St. Jude Higher Secondary School, Mukhathala.

Notable Events

Kollam Pooram, part of the Ashramam Sree Krishnaswamy Temple Festival, is the biggest cultural celebration in south Kerala. Kollam Pooram is usually held on April 15, and occasionally on April 16th. The pooram is held at the Ashramam maidan.

Chittumala Theerthatanam is an annual march held on Thiruvonam, to promote communal harmony; it started in 1968. It starts from Munroe Island 25KM from Kollam and ends at Chittumala. The King's School is the first IGCSE school in the district. The course is offered by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)

Culture

Kollam, the capital of the erstwhile Venad, was a centre of learning and culture. It attracted distinguished scholars from all parts of South India. Leelathilakam and Unnuneeli Sandesam, two literary works of historical importance, are contributions of 14th century Kollam. The dance form of Kathakali, in its new version of Ramanattam, was the creation of Kottarakkara Thampuran, who also translated Krishnanattam from Sanskrit to Malayalam.

Other notable figures are K. C. Kesava Pillai, a poet and playwright; he originated the musical play in Malayalam through his work Sadarma. His Kesaveeyam, a Mahakavyam, is of outstanding literary importance. Paravoor Kesavan Asan, the founding editor of Sujanandini, wrote Saratchandrika a study of Ayurvedic system of medicine.

Coming to modern times, Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai and Soornadu Kunjan Pillai, noted literary historians and poets like O. N. V. Kurup, Thirunalloor Karunakaran, Punaloor Balan, novelist and poet Lalithambika Antharjanam are some of the literary luminaries hailing from this district.

Leaders like T. M. Varghese, C. Kesavan, Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai, N. Sreekantan Pillai, R. Sankar and C. M. Stephen who played prominent roles in shaping the socio-political destiny of the State, are also from this district. The district gave birth to well known freedom fighters like Chandiran Kali Ambi, Kadakkal Manthri and Franco Raghavan Pillai.

Training colleges

Kasthoorba Gandhi TTI, Mathilil, Mathilil. Kollam, Kerala was started during 2004. It is owned by Kasthoorba Gandhi memorial women’s charitable society registered under Travancore Cochin Charitable Society’s Act. About 50 women irrespective of caste, creed or politics are members of the society. This is the only TTI in the state which is run by a women’s organization.

Places of worship

Temples

There are a number of temples, ashrams and holy sites in the city, including Sree Subramanya Swami Kshethram Poojappura, in Keralapuram near Kundara. The Mata Amritanandamayi Math is situated at Parayakadavu in this district, about 20 km from the Kollam. The Mukhathala Murari (Sree Krishna Swamy) Temple at Mukhathala is about 10 km from the city. Sree Mahaganapathy temple at Kottarakara about 25km from Kollam.

Gateway to Ashramam Sree Krishnaswamy Temple at Kollam

Mosques

Some of the famous mosques are Valiyapalli at Jonakappuram, Chinnakada juma Masjid, Juma-'Ath Palli at Kollurvila, Juma-'Ath Palli at Thattamala, Muslim Juma-'Ath Palli at Karuva, Kalamala Palli at Kalamala, Muthirapparambu Palli at Muthirapparambu and Siyavathummodu Palli at Kilikolloor.

The 300 year old Juma-'Ath Palli at Karuva houses the mortal remains of a Sufi saint-Syed Abdur Rahman Jifri in its premises.

The Karbala Maidan and the adjacent Makani mosque serves as the Eid gah for the city's Muslims.

Churches

The Apostle Thomas founded one of his "seven and a half churches" in Truth & spirit immersed in Ancient Vedic Vaishnavism in First Century AD at Thevalakara in Kollam, and there is a strong Christian presence in the town to this day.

• Kadeesa Syrian Orthodox Church ,Jonaka puram,Kollam ,originally Founded by the first Latin Bishop of Asia Jordanius Kathlani in the 14th century with the patronage of Nestorian Syrian liturgy Orthodox Christians

• St.Peters Church Moothakara,Infant Jesus Shrine Moothakara is a pilgrim center located near Civil Station
• Fathima Matha Shrine
• St.George shrine,Kadavoor
• St Anthony's Church Vaddy
• The CSI Christ Church,Craven L.M.S, Kollam claims to have its roots in the London Missionary Society. This missionary society like other religious and philanthropic organizations which sprang into existence at the close of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries was the result of the evangelistic revival among the Ezhava & Nadar communities of Kerala

• Infant Jesus Cathedral Thangasseri
• St. Casmir Church Mathilil, Kollam
• St. Sebastin church, Tuet, which is one of the pilgrim center located at kollam city. And Velankanni matha shrine is located at near the kollam bus station.
• Christ the king church, Kottappuram, Mulavana, Kollam

Hospitals

This are some of the hospitals in Kollam. Organizations on this list should either have an accompanying existing article link which verifies their association, or reliable sources as footnotes against the name showing they are notable and in Kollam.

• Kerala E.N.T. Research Foundation (KERF), Thevally
• Bishop Benziger hospital
• Matha Hospital, Mathilil.
• Sanker's Hospital, Kollam
• Upasana Hospital, Kollam
• Dr. Nair's Hospital, Kollam
• Travancore Medical College, Medicity, Byepass, Kollam
• Azeezia Medical College Hospital, Meeyannoor, Kollam
• Kumar Hospital, Kollam
• Holy Cross Hospital, Kottiyam, Kollam
• Prathibha Hospital, Kollam
• ESIC Model Hospital, Ashramom, Kollam
• ESIC Medical College Hospital, Parippally, Kollam
• District Hospital, Kollam
• Govt. Victoria Hospital, Kollam
• Royal Hoapital,Chathannoor
• J.S.M Maternity Hospital,Chathannoor
• Shivapriya Ayurveda Hospital ,Karammcode,Chathannoor

Spiritual leaders

• Chattampi Swamikal
• Mata Amritanandamayi
• Swami Santhananthagiri

Literature

• Kakkanadan (Writer)
• K. C. Kesava Pillai (Poet)
• Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai (Historian)
• Sooranad Kunjan Pillai (Scholar)
• Lalithambika Antharjanam (Writer)
• Thirunalloor Karunakaran (Poet)
• O. N. V. Kurup (Poet)
• Pattathuvila Karunakaran (Short story writer)
• Johnson Eyeroor (Writer)
• Kureepuzha Sreekumar (Poet)
• Vrindavanam Venugopalan (Writer)
• D. Vinayachandran (Writer)
• K O Johnson (poet)

Politics

• C. M. Stephen (opposition Leader, Republic of India-1977)
• T. M. Varghese, Thandaneth (Freedom fighter)
• C. Kesavan (Freedom fighter)
• R. Sankar (Freedom fighter, Social Reformer)
• Thangal Kunju Musaliar
• M. A. Baby {C.P.I (M), C.C.Member}
• P. K. Gurudasan (Minister, Labour and Excise)
• R. Balakrishna Pillai (Former Minister and founder of Kerala Congress)

Journalism

• K. Balakrishnan (Journalist)

Theatre, art, music, cinema

• Pannisseri Nanu Pillai
• O. Madhavan (Theater Artist)
• V. Sambasivan (Kadhaprasangam artist)
• Kambisseri Karunakaran, (Journalist, Drama-Cini artist & writer)
• Devarajan Master (Cine Music Director)
• Raveendran (Famous Cine Music Director)
• Resul Pookutty (Oscar award winner, sound technician)
• Shaji N. Karun (Film Director)
• Rajeev Anchal (Film Director)
• Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair (actor)
• Jayan (actor)
• Thilakan (actor)
• Murali (actor)
• Mukesh (actor)
• Suresh Gopi (actor)
• Kollam Thulasi (actor)
• Balachandra Menon (actor)
• Urvashi (actress)
• Kalpana (actress)
• Kalaranjini (actress)
• Saikumar (actor)
• K. B. Ganesh Kumar (Cine Artist, Former Transport Minister of Kerala State)
• Benny Dayal (Playback Singer)

Sports

• Suresh Babu (Olympian athlete)
• T. C. Yohannan (Athlete)

External links

• Kollam District official website
• The enhanced version of the Kollam Official website