71-612: The Asramam Maidanam or Ashramam Maithanam is an urban park, or maidhanam , in the city of Kollam , in Kerala, India. At 72 acres (29 ha), it is the largest open space within Kerala Municipal Corporation limits. The maidan is considered one of the green lungs of the city and regularly hosts the city's main cultural and sports events. It holds an adventure park children's park , picnic village, British Residency and mangrove forests making it an important tourism spot in
142-630: A Fountain of Youth . In 825 CE, the Malayalam calendar , or Kollavarsham , was created in Kollam at meetings held in the city. The present Malayalam calendar is said to have begun with the re-founding of the town, which was rebuilt after its destruction by fire. The city was known as Koolam in Arabic, Coulão in Portuguese, and Desinganadu in ancient Tamil literature. As the ancient city of Quilon, Kollam
213-580: A Christian ruler. The text above the picture of the king says: Açí seny[o]reja lo rey Colobo, christià. Pruvíncia de Columbo (Here reigns the Lord King Colobo, Christian, Province of Columbo). The city was much frequented by the Genoese merchants during the 13th-14th centuries CE, followed by the Dominican and Franciscan friars from Europe. The Genoese merchants called the city Colõbo/Colombo. The city
284-666: A basis for the Doctrine of the Trinity, without replacing the Sanskrit and Vedic prayers. The Tharisapalli plates presented to Maruvan Sapor Iso by Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal granted the Christians the privilege of overseeing foreign trade in the city as well as control over its weights and measures in a move designed to increase Quilon's trade and wealth. The two Christians were also instrumental in founding Christian churches with Syrian liturgy along
355-679: A memento of the Portuguese rule of the area. The Battle of Quilon was fought in 1809 between a troop of the Indian kingdom of Travancore led by the then Dalawa (prime minister) of Travancore, Velu Thampi Dalawa and the British East India Company led by Colonel Chalmers at Cantonment Maidan in Quilon. The battle lasted for only six hours and was the result of the East India Company's invasion of Quilon and their garrison situated near
426-582: A population of 4,879,553, Catholics numbering 235,922 (4.8%). The famous Infant Jesus Cathedral , 400 years old, located in Thangassery, is the co-cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon . CSI Kollam-Kottarakara Diocese is one of the twenty-four dioceses of the Church of South India. The Headquarters of the Kerala region of The Pentecostal Mission for Kottarakkara, is in Kollam. Kollam City
497-441: A windsock on a tall wooden mast. After the commissioning of Thiruvananthapuram airport and its development, Quilon Aerodrome went into decline, and finally, planes stopped arriving there. The aerodrome remained fenced off for a long time. Later, the fence was destroyed and its granite stumps pilfered. The only reason the maidan was not encroached upon was that it was a central government property. Now there are two large helipads at
568-503: Is a Municipal Corporation with elected Councillors from its 55 divisions. The Mayor, elected from among the councillors, generally represents the political party holding a majority. The Corporation Secretary heads the office of the corporation. The present Mayor of Kollam Corporation is Adv.V. Rajendrababu of CPI(M) . The police administration of the city falls under the Kollam City Police Commissionerate which
639-564: Is also home to one of the oldest mosques in Indian subcontinent . According to the Legend of Cheraman Perumals , the first Indian mosque was built in 624 AD at Kodungallur with the mandate of the last the ruler (the Cheraman Perumal) of Chera dynasty , who left from Dharmadom to Mecca and converted to Islam during the lifetime of Muhammad (c. 570–632). According to Qissat Shakarwati Farmad ,
710-569: Is an ancient seaport and the fourth largest city in the Indian state of Kerala . Located on the southern tip of the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea , the city is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake and is 71 kilometers (44 mi) northwest of the Thiruvananthapuram . Kollam is one of I ndia's oldest continuously inhabited cities , with evidence of habitation stretching back to the megalithic;
781-823: Is being built at Eravipuram. A prawn farm is being built at Ayiramthengu , and several new hatcheries are planned to cater to the needs of the aquaculturists. Kerala's only turkey farm and a regional poultry farm are at Kureepuzha . There are two Central Government industrial operations in the city, the Indian Rare Earths, Chavara and Parvathi Mills Ltd. , Kollam. Kerala Ceramics Ltd. in Kundara , Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company in Kundara , Kerala Premo Pipe factory in Chavara, Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited in Chavara and United Electrical Industries in Kollam are Kerala Government-owned companies. Other major industries in
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#1732891074144852-553: Is bordered by the panchayats of Neendakara and Thrikkaruva to the north, Mayyanad to the south, and Thrikkovilvattom and Kottamkara to the east, and by the Laccadive Sea to the west. Ashtamudi Lake is in the heart of the city. The city is about 71 km (44 mi) away from Thiruvananthapuram, 140 km (87 mi) away from Kochi and 350 km (220 mi) away from Kozhikode . The National Waterway 3 and Ithikkara river are two important waterways passing through
923-403: Is famous as a city with excellent export background. 5 star, 4 star and 3 star hotels, multi-storied shopping malls, branded jewellery, textile showrooms and car showrooms have started operations in the city and suburbs. Kollam was the third city in Kerala (after Kozhikode and Kochi) to adopt the shopping mall culture. Kollam district ranks first in livestock wealth in the state. Downtown Kollam
994-651: Is headed by an IPS ( Indian Police Service ) cadre officer and he reports to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Thiruvananthapuram Range. The police administration comes under the State Home Department of the Government of Kerala. Kollam City is divided into three subdivisions, Karunagappally , Kollam and Chathannoor , each under an Assistant Commissioner of Police. With a total urban population of 1,187,158 and 349,033 as city corporation's population, Kollam
1065-660: Is second highest among the 500 most populous cities in India. Kollam is one of the least polluted cities in India. During the later stages of the rule of the Chera monarchy in Kerala, Kollam emerged as the focal point of trade and politics. Kollam continues to be a major business and commercial centre in Kerala. Four major trading centers around Kollam are Kottarakara , Punalur , Paravur , and Karunagapally . Kollam appeared as Palombe in Mandeville 's Travels , where he claimed it contained
1136-534: Is the first diocese in India. V. Nagam Aiya in his Travancore State Manual records that in 822 AD two East Syriac bishops Mar Sabor and Mar Proth , settled in Quilon with their followers. Two years later the Malabar Era began (824 AD) and Quilon became the premier city of the Malabar region ahead of Travancore and Cochin . Kollam Port was founded by Mar Sabor at Tangasseri in 825 as an alternative to reopening
1207-693: Is the fourth most populous city in the state and 49th on the list of the most populous urban agglomerations in India . As of 2011 the city's urban growth rate of 154.59% was the second highest in the state. The Metropolitan area of Kollam includes Uliyakovil, Adichanalloor , Adinad , Ayanivelikulangara , Chavara, Elampalloor , Eravipuram (Part), Kallelibhagom , Karunagappally , Kollam, Kottamkara, Kulasekharapuram , Mayyanad, Meenad , Nedumpana , Neendakara , Oachira , Panayam , Panmana , Paravur, Perinad , Poothakkulam , Thazhuthala , Thodiyoor , Thrikkadavoor, Thrikkaruva, Thrikkovilvattom , and Vadakkumthala . The Kerala Government has decided to develop
1278-543: Is the main CBD of Kollam city. Dairy farming is fairly well developed. Also there is a chilling plant in the city. Kollam is an important maritime and port city. Fishing has a place in the economy of the district. Neendakara and Sakthikulangara villages in the suburbs of the city have fisheries. An estimated 134,973 persons are engaged in fishing and allied activities. Cheriazheekkal, Alappad, Pandarathuruthu, Puthenthura, Neendakara , Thangasseri, Eravipuram and Paravur are eight of
1349-662: The Masjids at Kodungallur , Kollam, Madayi , Barkur , Mangalore , Kasaragod , Kannur , Dharmadam , Panthalayini , and Chaliyam , were built during the era of Malik Dinar , and they are among the oldest Masjid s in Indian subcontinent . It is believed that Malik Dinar died at Thalangara in Kasaragod town. The port at Kollam, then known as Quilon, was founded in 825 by the Nestorian Christians Mar Sabor and Mar Proth with sanction from Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal,
1420-1054: The Asramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple Festival, is usually held on 15 April, but occasionally on 16 April. The pooram is held at the Ashramam maidan. List of renamed Indian cities and states Since India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947 , names of many cities, streets, places, and buildings throughout the Republic of India have been systematically changed, often to better approximate their native endonymic pronunciation. Certain traditional names that have not been changed, however, continue to be popular. Former names of cities and towns in Andhra Pradesh at various times (Pre-Mauryan, Maurayan, Satavahana, Andhra Ikshvaku, Vishnukundina, Eastern Chalukya, Kakateeya, Musunuri, Pemmasani etc. rule) during
1491-632: The Kollam City Corporation , was aimed at presenting the history and culture of Kollam to the world. Kollam Pooram is one of the most colorful festivals of Kerala, attracting a large number of people from all parts of the state. The Kollam Pooram, organised in connection with the annual festival of the Asramam Sri Krishnaswamy Temple, is held annually at the Asramam Maidan in the month of April. The festival has now assumed
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#17328910741441562-532: The Kollam Era (also known as Malayalam Era or Kollavarsham or Malayalam Calendar or Malabar Era ), solar and sidereal Hindu calendar used in Kerala, has been originated on 825 CE (Pothu Varsham) at (Kollam) city. Muslims account for 22.05% of Kollam's total population. As per the Census 2011 data, 80,935 is the total Muslim population in Kollam. The Karbala Maidan and the adjacent Makani mosque serves as
1633-520: The "Cashew Capital of the World", Kollam is noted for its traditional cashew business and is home to more than 600 cashew-processing units. Every year, about 800,000 tonnes of raw cashews are imported into the city for processing and an average of 130,000 tonnes of processed cashews are exported to various countries worldwide. The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) expects a rise in exports to 275,000 tonnes by 2020, an increase of 120 per cent over
1704-527: The 1830s. It was moved to Thiruvananthapuram during the reign of Swathi Thirunal . Excavations are going on at Kollam Port premises since February 2014 as the team has uncovered arrays of antique artifacts, including Chinese porcelain and coins. A Chinese team with the Palace Museum, a team from India with Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) discovered Chinese coins and artifacts that show trade links between Kollam and ancient China. Kollam city
1775-453: The 26 important fishing villages. There are 24 inland fishing villages. The Government has initiated steps for establishing a fishing harbour at Neendakara. Average fish landing is estimated at 85,275 tonnes per year. One-third of the state's fish catch is from Kollam. Nearly 3000 mechanised boats are operating from the fishing harbour. FFDA and VFFDA promote fresh water fish culture and prawn farming respectively. A fishing village with 100 houses
1846-697: The Arabian Sea (supported by a find of ancient Roman coins). There was also internal trade through the Aryankavu Pass in Schenkottah Gap connecting the ancient town to Tamil Nadu. The overland trade in pepper by bullock cart and the trade over the waterways connecting Allepey and Cochin established trade linkages that enabled it to grow into one of the earliest Indian industrial townships. The rail links later established to Tamil Nadu supported still stronger trade links. The factories processing marine exports and
1917-542: The Best Lady Mayor of South India by the Rotary Club of Trivandrum Royal. The city of Kollam is a microcosm of Kerala state with its residents belonging to varied religious, ethnic and linguistic groups. There are so many ancient temples, centuries-old churches and mosques in the city and its suburbs. Kollam is a Hindu majority city in Kerala. 56.35% of Kollam's total population belongs to Hindu community. Moreover,
1988-511: The Cantonment Maidan. The company forces won the battle while all the insurrectionist who participated in the war were court-martialed and subsequently hanged at the maidan. In the early 18th century CE, the Travancore royal family adopted some members from the royal family of Kolathunadu based at Kannur , and Parappanad based in present-day Malappuram district . Later, Venad Kingdom
2059-515: The City of Kollam as a "Port City of Kerala". Regeneration of the Maruthadi - Eravipuram area including construction of facilities for fishing, tourism and entertainment projects will be implemented as part of the project. The city life of Kollam has changed in the last decade. In terms of economic performance and per capita income , Kollam city is in fifth position from India and third in Kerala . Kollam
2130-532: The Eid gah for the city. The 300-year-old Juma-'Ath Palli at Karuva houses the mortal remains of a Sufi saint, Syed Abdur Rahman Jifri. Christians account for 21.17% of the total population of Kollam city. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon (Kollam) is the first Catholic diocese in India. The diocese was first erected by Pope John XXII on 9 August 1329. It was re-erected on 1 September 1886. The diocese covers an area of 1,950 km (750 sq mi) and contains
2201-518: The Latin text of several other notarial deeds and the documents on church history, how Christopher Columbus - also carrying the same toponym .- was part of Mousso's family, and hence of the Indian lineage (although born in Genoa). The port at Kozhikode held superior economic and political position in medieval Kerala coast, while Kannur , Kollam, and Kochi , were commercially important secondary ports, where
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2272-567: The Malabar coast, distinct from the ancient Vedic Advaitam propounded by Adi Shankara in the early ninth century among the Nampoothiri Vaishnavites and Nair Sub Castes, as Malayalam was not accepted as a liturgical language until the early 18th century. Thus began the Malayalam Era, known as Kolla Varsham after the city, indicating the importance of Kollam in the ninth century. The Persian merchant Soleyman of Siraf visited Malabar in
2343-545: The Medieval period as in 1280, there is instance of envoys of Yuan China coming to Kollam for establishing relations between the local ruler and China. The ancient political and cultural history of Kollam was almost entirely independent from that of the rest of Kerala. The Chera dynasty governed the area of Malabar Coast between Alappuzha in the south to Kasaragod in the north. This included Palakkad Gap , Coimbatore , Salem , and Kolli Hills . The region around Coimbatore
2414-798: The Tamils, which had been without trade for several centuries because the Cheras were overrun by the Pallavas in the sixth century, ending the spice trade from the Malabar coast. This allowed the Nestorians to stay in the Chera kingdom for several decades and introduce the Christian faith among the Nampoothiri Vaishnavites and Nair sub-castes in the St. Thomas tradition, with the Syrian liturgy as
2485-451: The aerodrome. Because of the loose soil in the Asramam area, the landing and take-off areas were prepared by bringing huge quantities of red laterite soil from the hilly areas. The aerodrome had strong barbed wire fencing round it, with two entry points, one at the south and the other at the north. There were no buildings in the aerodrome, not even a shed, although there was a concreted area in
2556-412: The camp. It was decided to make eight sculptures based on the eight directions of Ashtamudi lake. As it is a part of the heritage road project which is a reenactment of the history and tradition of Kollam. The sculptors are prominent from different parts of Kerala. Sculptures and sculptors Kollam Kollam ( Malayalam: [kolːɐm] ; also known by its former name Quilon ),
2627-564: The city has also been a maritime entrepôt millennia, the earliest attestation of which dates back to the Phoenicians and Romans. It is the southern gateway to the Backwaters of Kerala , and is known for its cashew processing, coir manufacturing, and tourism industries. Kollam has a strong commercial reputation since ancient times. The Arabs, Phoenicians , Chinese, Ethiopians, Syrians, Jews, Chaldeans and Romans have all engaged in trade at
2698-403: The city, while Tamil is understood by some sections in the city. There are also small communities of Anglo-Indians , Konkani Brahmins, Telugu Chetty and Bengali migrant labourers settled in the city. For ease of administration, Kollam Municipal Corporation is divided into six zones with local zonal offices for each one. In 2014, former Kollam Mayor Mrs. Prasanna Earnest was selected as
2769-421: The city. Capithans, Kings Marine Exporters, India Food Exports and Oceanic Fisheries are examples of seafood exporters. Kollam's Ashtamudi Lake clam fishery was the first Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fishery in India. The clam fishery supports around 3,000 people involved in the collection, cleaning, processing and trading of clams. Around 90 species of fish and ten species of clams are found in
2840-679: The city. The Asramam maidan is the major training hub of all the driving school operators in Kollam city. Asramam Maidan was used as an aerodrome during the British Raj . At that time there were no civil aerodromes either in Thiruvananthapuram or anywhere else in the erstwhile kingdoms of Travancore and Kochi nor in the British-ruled Malabar area of the Madras Presidency . Chartered flights, mainly using Avro aircraft, would land and take off from Quilon Aerodrome . The aerodrome
2911-514: The city. Other important towns in the city suburbs are Eravipuram , Kottiyam , Kannanallur, and Chavara . Kollam experiences a tropical monsoon climate ( Köppen Am ) with little seasonal variation in temperatures. December to March is the dry season with less than 60 millimetres or 2.4 inches of rain in each of those months. April to November is the wet season , with considerably more rain than during December to March, especially in June and July at
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2982-482: The city. The 7.7 km (4.8 mi) long Kollam Canal is connecting Paravur Lake ans Ashtamudi Lake. The Kallada river, another river that flows through the suburbs of the city, empties into Ashtamudi Lake, while the Ithikkara river runs to Paravur Kayal . Kattakayal, a freshwater lake in the city, connects another water-body named Vattakkayal with Lake Ashtamudi. In March 2016, IndiaTimes selected Kollam as one of
3053-490: The current figure. The Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Limited (KSCDC) is situated at Mundakkal in Kollam city. The company owns 30 cashew factories all across Kerala. Of these, 24 are located in Kollam district. Kollam is one of many seafood export hubs in India with numerous companies involved in the sector. Most of these are based in the Maruthadi , Sakthikulangara , Kavanad , Neendakara , Asramam , Kilikollur , Thirumullavaram and Uliyakovil areas of
3124-494: The height of the Southwest Monsoon . As of the 2011 India census, Kollam city had a population of 349,033 with a density of 5,400 persons per square kilometre. The sex ratio (the number of females per 1,000 males) was 1,112, the highest in the state. The district of Kollam ranked seventh in population in the state while the city of Kollam ranked fourth. As of 2010 Kollam had an average literacy rate of 93.77%, higher than
3195-448: The inland seaport of Kore-ke-ni Kollam near Backare (Thevalakara), which was also known as Nelcynda and Tyndis to the Romans and Greeks and as Thondi to the Tamils. Thambiran Vanakkam printed in 20 October 1578 at Kollam was the first book to be published in an Indian language. Kollam city corporation received ISO 9001:2015 certification for municipal administration and services. As per
3266-539: The island of Tabropane (Ceylon), there is a church of Christians, and clerics and faithful. Likewise at Male, where the pepper grows, and in the farming community of Kalliana (Kalliankal at Nillackal) there is also a bishop consecrated in Persia in accordance with the Nicea Sunnahadose of 325 AD." The Nestorian Patriarch Jesujabus, who died in 660 AD, mentions Kollam in his letter to Simon, Metropolitan of Persia. Kollam
3337-451: The king of the independent Venad or the State of Quilon, a feudatory under the Chera kingdom. It is believed that Mar Sapor Iso also proposed that the Chera king create a new seaport near Kollam in lieu of his request that he rebuild the almost vanished inland seaport at Kollam (kore-ke-ni) near Backare (Thevalakara), also known as Nelcynda and Tyndis to the Romans and Greeks and as Thondi to
3408-417: The lake. Kollam Fest is Kollam's own annual festival, attracting mostly Keralites but also hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists to Kollam. The main venue of Kollam Fest is the historic and gigantic Ashramam Maidan. Kollam Fest is the signature event of Kollam. Kollam Fest seeks to showcase Kollam's rich culture and heritage, tourism potential and investments in new ventures. Kollam Pooram , part of
3479-511: The maidan. A walkway of about 2.3 km is constructed around the ground, facilitating jogging and exercises. Asramam Maidan is the regular venue for many events including recruitment rallies for the Indian Army , Kollam Pooram , Kollam Fest, cricket tournaments, large weddings and various events of a political or non-political nature. Kollam Fest is an international event with focus on art, culture, trade, and tourism. The event, organised by
3550-525: The name "Columbum" to Columbo. According to a book authored by Ilarius Augustus, published April, 2021 (' Christopher Columbus: Buried deep in Latin the Indian origin of the great explorer from Genoa '), the words Columbum, Columbus and Columbo appear for the first time in a notarial deed (lease contract) of a certain Mousso in Genoa in 1329 CE. These words appear in the form of a toponym . The author then shows, through
3621-446: The national average of 74.04%. Male literacy stood at 95.83%, and female at 91.95%. In Kollam, 11% of the population was under six years of age. In May 2015, Government of Kerala have decided to expand City Corporation of Kollam by merging Thrikkadavoor panchayath. So the area will become 73.03 km (28.20 sq mi) with a total city population of 384,892. Malayalam is the most widely spoken language and official language of
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#17328910741443692-427: The nine least polluted cities on earth to which anybody can relocate. Kollam is one among the top 10 most welcoming places in India for the year 2020, according to Booking.com 's traveller review awards. Kollam is an ancient trading town – trading with Romans, Chinese, Arabs, and other Orientals – mentioned in historical citations dating back to Biblical times and the reign of Solomon, connecting with Red Sea ports of
3763-551: The ninth century and found Quilon to be the only port in India used by the huge Chinese ships as their transshipment hub for 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 (618–913), Quilon was their chief port of call before the seventh century. The Chinese trade decreased about 600 and
3834-604: The only port in India visited by huge Chinese junks. Marco Polo , the Venetian traveller, who was in Chinese service under Kublai Khan in 1275, visited Kollam and other towns on the west coast, in his capacity as a Chinese mandarin. Kollam is also home to one of the seven churches that were established by St Thomas as well as one of the 10 oldest mosques believed to be found by Malik Deenar in Kerala . Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon
3905-448: The port of Kollam for millennia. As a result of Chinese trade, Kollam was mentioned by Ibn Battuta in the 14th century as one of the five Indian ports he had seen during the course of his twenty-four-year travels. Desinganadu's rajas exchanged embassies with Chinese rulers while there was a flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam. In the ninth century, on his way to Canton , China, Persian merchant Sulaiman al-Tajir found Kollam to be
3976-799: The private/cooperative sector are Aluminium Industries Ltd. in Kundara , Thomas Stephen & Co. in Kollam, Floorco in Paravur and Cooperative Spinning Mill in Chathannoor. The beach sands of the district have concentrations of such heavy minerals as Ilmenite, Rutile, Monosite and Zircon, which offer scope for exploitation for industrial purposes. Besides large deposits of China clay in Kundara, Mulavana and Chathannoor, there are also lime-shell deposits in Ashtamudi Lake and Bauxite deposits in Adichanallur. Known as
4047-404: The processing and packaging of cashewnuts extended its trade across the globe. It is known for cashew processing and coir manufacturing. Ashtamudi Lake is considered the southern gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is a prominent tourist destination at Kollam. The Kollam urban area includes suburban towns such as Paravur in the south, Kundara in the east and Karunagapally in the north of
4118-420: The reign of Sthanu Ravi Varma (9th century CE), records that there was extensive trade between Kerala and China at that time, based at the port of Kollam. In the 13th century CE, Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I , a Pandya ruler fought a war in Venad and captured the city of Kollam. The city appears on the Catalan Atlas of 1375 CE as Columbo and Colobo. The map marks this city as a Christian city, ruled by
4189-406: The shape of a ring where the planes stopped after landing. It was here that the passengers alighted and boarded the plane. Planes used to land sometimes once in two months. The airport then came under the control of Kerala Public Works Department (PWD). Residents of Asramam knew in advance about the arrival of planes, because the PWD authorities, on getting information about a coming arrival, hoisted
4260-450: The status of a national festival, and gets the biggest government allocation for such an event after Thrissur Pooram . Asramam Maidan is a regular ground for the Kerala Cricket Association's matches, which are held almost all year round. Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi Kollam in association with DTPC conducted 'Ashtashilpa' ten day sculpture camp organized at Kollam Ashram grounds as part of 'Walkway'. Sculptures in concrete medium were made in
4331-438: The survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) based on urban area growth during January 2020, Kollam became the tenth fastest growing city in the world with a 31.1% urban growth between 2015 and 2020. It is a coastal city and on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake. The city hosts the administrative offices of Kollam district and is a prominent trading city for the state. The proportion of females to males in Kollam city
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#17328910741444402-457: The traders from various parts of the world would gather. The Portuguese arrived at Kappad Kozhikode in 1498 during the Age of Discovery , thus opening a direct sea route from Europe to India. They were the first Europeans to establish a trading center in Tangasseri, Kollam in 1502, which became the centre of their trade in pepper. In the wars with the Moors/Arabs that followed, the ancient church (temple) of St Thomas Tradition at Thevalakara
4473-480: Was a flourishing port during the Pandya dynasty (c. 3rd century BC–12th century), and later became the capital of the independent Venad or the Kingdom of Quilon on its foundation in c. 825. Kollam was considered one of the four early entrepots in global sea trade during the 13th century, along with Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt, the Chinese city of Quanzhou , and Malacca in the Malaysian archipelago. It seems that trade at Kollam seems to have flourished right into
4544-405: Was again revived in the 13th century. Mirabilia Descripta by Bishop Catalani gives a description of life in Kollam, which he saw as the Catholic bishop-designate to Kollam, the oldest Catholic diocese in India. He also gives true and imaginary descriptions of life in 'India the Major' in the period before Marco Polo visited the city. Sulaiman al-Tajir, a Persian merchant who visited Kerala during
4615-485: 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 the Chera Kingdom from Ceylon and the southeastern coast of India, then known as the Pandyan Kingdom . Cosmas Indicopleustes , a Greek Nestorian sailor, in his book the Christian Topography who visited the Malabar Coast in 550, mentions an enclave of Christian believers in Male (Malabar Coast). He writes, "In
4686-436: Was an ancient seaport on the Malabar Coast of India from the early centuries before the Christian era. Kollam served as a major port city for Pandya dynasty on the western coast while Kulasekharapatnam served Pandyas on the eastern coast. The city had a high commercial reputation from the days of the Phoenicians and Ancient Romans . Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) mentions Greek ships anchored at Muziris and Nelcynda . There
4757-426: Was completely merged with the Kingdom of Travancore during the reign of Marthanda Varma and Kollam remained as the capital of Travancore Kingdom. Later on, the capital of Travancore was relocated to Thiruvananthapuram. Travancore became the most dominant state in Kerala by defeating the powerful Zamorin of Kozhikode in the battle of Purakkad in 1755. The Government Secretariat was also situated in Kollam till
4828-566: Was destroyed. In 1517, the Portuguese built the St. Thomas Fort in Thangasseri, which was destroyed in the subsequent wars with the Dutch. In 1661, the Dutch East India Company took possession of the city. The remnants of the old Portuguese Fort, later renovated by the Dutch, 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
4899-425: Was founded in 825 by Maruvān Sapir Iso, a Persian East Syriac Christian merchant, and was also Christianized early by the Saint Thomas Christians . In 1329 CE Pope John XXII established Kollam / Columbo as the first and only Roman Catholic bishopric on the Indian subcontinent, and appointed Jordan of Catalonia , a Dominican friar, as the diocese's first bishop of the Latin sect. The Pope's Latin scribes assigned
4970-418: Was primarily used by VIPs from Madras en route to Thiruvananthapuram, who after landing at Quilon , would proceed to Thiruvananthapuram by car. Quilon Aerodrome was also used for flying training. During one such training exercise, an aircraft hit a tree on the boundary of the aerodrome, killing the pilot and the trainee. Training operations were stopped after the accident, but civilian aircraft continued to use
5041-479: Was ruled by the Cheras during Sangam period between c. first and the fourth centuries CE and it served as the eastern entrance to the Palakkad Gap, the principal trade route between the Malabar Coast and Tamil Nadu . However the southern region of present-day Kerala state (The coastal belt between Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha) was under Ay dynasty , who was more related to the Pandya dynasty of Madurai than Cheras. Along with ( Muziris and Tyndis ), Quilon
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