Which Port was Known as Queen of Arabian Sea?

By Balaji

Updated on: February 27th, 2023

Kochi port was known as the Queen of Arabian Sea. Since ancient times, it has been known to Jews, Syrians, Arabs, Chinese, and Yavanas (Greeks and Romans) as the center of the Indian spice trade. Kochi became important as a commerce center after the Muziris around Kodungallur (Cranganore) were destroyed by the great flood of Periyar in 1341.

Table of content

1. Queen of Arabian Sea – Kochi Port
2. Which Port was Known as Queen of Arabian Sea?

Queen of Arabian Sea – Kochi Port

The Laccadive Sea, a body of water that is a part of the Arabian Sea, is bordered by a port city on India’s southwest coast known as The Queen of Arabia. From the pre-Islamic era on, the port maintained a business relationship with Arab traders and served as India’s main spice trading center.

The Queen of the Arabian Sea was Kochi’s nickname.
Beginning in the 14th century, the region on India’s west coast grew into a significant spice trading hub.
Arab traders also helped the region maintain its pre-Islamic commercial network.
The Portuguese seized control of Kochi, the first European colony in colonial India, in 1503.
Up until Goa was chosen to take its place in 1530, it remained the main Portuguese seat.
Later, the city came under the control of the British and the Dutch, and the Kingdom of Kochi became a princely state.
Chinese, Jews, Arabs, Syrians, and Yavanas (Greeks and Romans) have all known about Kochi since antiquity.
Kochi became a significant commercial hub following the destruction of the port Muziris in Kodungallur (Cranganore) in 1341 by the massive Periyar floods.
The earliest known references to Kochi can be found in writings by a Chinese traveler by the name of Ma Huan.
He visited Kochi in the 15th century while serving in Admiral Zheng He’s treasure fleet.

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