Kollam

Overview

Kollam, formerly known as Quilon, is a coastal city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Kollam district and lies on the Arabian Sea coast, adjacent to the Ashtamudi Lake. Historically one of the oldest port towns on the Malabar Coast, Kollam has been a centre of maritime trade for over a millennium and remains an important hub for cashew processing, coir, and inland water transport in Kerala.

Key Facts

Etymology and Names

The name Kollam is believed to derive from the Sanskrit word Kollam meaning pepper, reflecting the town's long-standing role in the spice trade. The town gives its name to the Kollam Era (Kollavarsham), a calendar that began in 825 CE and remains in use in Kerala for traditional and religious purposes. In medieval European, Arab and Chinese accounts, the city was referred to variously as Quilon, Coulão, Kaulam, and Kiulan.

History

Early and Medieval Period

Kollam was an important emporium on the Indian Ocean trade network from at least the 9th century. The Tarisapalli copper plates, dated to 849 CE and issued during the reign of the Venad ruler Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal, record grants made to a Christian merchant community in Kollam and remain among the most significant epigraphic sources for early medieval Kerala history. The plates document the presence of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim merchant guilds in the city.

Travellers including Marco Polo (in the late 13th century), Ibn Battuta (14th century), and the Chinese admiral Zheng He's fleet recorded visits to Kollam, attesting to its prominence as a port linked to West Asia, China, and Southeast Asia.

Colonial Period

The Portuguese established a factory at Kollam in the early 16th century, followed later by the Dutch and the British. The town came under the influence of the Kingdom of Venad and subsequently the princely state of Travancore. Under Travancore, Kollam continued as a major commercial port, particularly for cashew, coir, and timber exports.

Post-Independence

After Indian independence in 1947 and the formation of Kerala state in 1956, Kollam became the headquarters of Kollam district. The Kollam municipality was upgraded to a Municipal Corporation in 2000.

Geography

Kollam lies on the southwestern coast of India, with the Arabian Sea to its west and the eight-armed Ashtamudi Lake forming a defining feature of its inland geography. Ashtamudi is a Ramsar wetland and the second largest lake in Kerala. The terminal point of the West Coast Canal, and the southern terminus of the Kerala backwaters route from Alappuzha, lies at Kollam, making it a key node in inland navigation.

Economy

• Cashew industry: Kollam is widely regarded as the cashew capital of the world, hosting numerous cashew processing units. The Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation is headquartered in the district.
• Coir and marine products: Traditional coir manufacturing and seafood processing remain important.
• Port and fisheries: Kollam Port is among the older minor ports of India and supports fishing and limited cargo activity.
• Tourism: Backwater tourism centred on Ashtamudi Lake contributes significantly to the local economy.

Transport

• Rail: Kollam Junction is one of the major railway stations of Kerala and is known for having one of the longest railway platforms in India. It lies on the Thiruvananthapuram–Ernakulam mainline.
• Road: National Highway 66 (Mumbai–Kanyakumari) and National Highway 744 (connecting to Tamil Nadu via Tenkasi) pass through the city.
• Water: State Water Transport Department services connect Kollam with destinations along Ashtam