Cranganore Tourism, Kerala India

Kodungallur was an integral part of Mahodayapuram, the capital city of Later Chera dynasty. During this period, Muziris, near present day Kodungallur, was an important trade link in Indian maritime history. Roman empire had continuous trading connection with this region. Along with Pepper, commodities such as pearls, muslin, ivory, diamond, silk and perfumes were exported using the maritime facilities of Kodungallur. Sulaiman, an Arab visitor to Mahodayapuram during this period, recorded the economic prosperity of the region and also testified to the high morals, kept by its people. Also, he describes the Chinese trade in the city; they are described as purchasing articles such as pepper, cinnamon, ivory, pearls, cotton fabrics and teak wood, while selling fishing nets, silk and porcelain goods here. Kodungallor also played as an important gateway of the cultural relations and laid the foundation of a composite culture in this part of the Chera country; Christianity, Judaism and Islam entered the region in the earliest centuries of common era.In the 11th century, Mahodayapuram was captured by Rajendra Chola I of Chola dynasty. For the next few centuries, Kodungallur was a principality, named Padinjattedathu Swaroopam, under the control of a royal family, Kodungallur Kovilakam, allied either to kingdom of Cochin or to Calicut. Muziris is supposed to be destroyed by massive flooding of Periyar in 14th century and consequently, the trade got diverted to other ancient ports of the Malabar coast, such as Kochi