Study on Contribution of Kunjali Marakkars for Muslim Identity Preservation in Kerala

Preserving Muslim Identity: The Contribution of Kunjali Marakkars in Kerala

Abstract

Marakkar family reached Cochin from Konkan for trading. There is no evidence of their genealogy. Tradition reflects that they were the descendants of Arab Muslim merchants, came for trade with Malabar in 7th A.D. in Cochin. They were engaged for importing of rice from Kanara When Cochin Raja befriended the Portuguese, the trade rights belonging to the local Muslim communities were threatened and their leader Ismail Marakkar had secretly helped the Zamorin, at the time of battle between the Cochin and Calicut, Marakkars ships and warehouses were destroyed. Felt alarmed over the threatening power of Portuguese, they left Cochin and settled down at Ponnani. From 1507 to 1524 Portuguese had attacked Ponnani and destroyed the ships and forces. This paper reflects contribution of Kunjali Marakkars for muslim identity preservation in Kerala.