The Feudatory State of Cochin

Cochin (Kochi) was a Princely State on the Malabar coast, currently a part of the Indian state of Kerala. It was part of the Madras State Agency in Southern India. The state issued its first postal stamps in 1882, during the reign of Raja Kerala Varma V (ruled 1888-1895).

The history of the Cochin princely state is intertwined with the ancient Chera dynasty. The region was initially part of the Chera Kingdom and had active trade relations with many foreign countries, including Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Arabs, and Jews. By the early medieval period, the decline of the Cheras led to the emergence of smaller kingdoms, one of which was Cochin (Kochi).

The exact origins of the Cochin royal family are uncertain, but they are believed to have emerged as local rulers after the decline of the Kulasekhara empire around the 12th century. Over time, the rulers of Cochin developed into a significant maritime power due to their control over the lucrative spice trade, particularly pepper, which attracted foreign merchants.

Arrival of the Portuguese 

The arrival of the Portuguese in India in the late 15th century marked a turning point in the history of Cochin. In 1500, Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral established contact with the Cochin royal family. Recognizing the commercial potential, the Portuguese built a fort in Cochin in 1503, making it the first European fort in India. This alliance helped the Cochin rulers resist the expansionist ambitions of the neighbouring Zamorin of Calicut.

With the Portuguese as allies, the Cochin state flourished as a major trade center. However, Portuguese interference in local politics and their attempts to monopolize the spice trade caused friction with the local rulers over time.

The Dutch and Mysore

In 1663, the Dutch East India Company ousted the Portuguese from Cochin, establishing Dutch influence in the region. The Dutch maintained cordial relations with the Cochin royal family and even helped them expand their territories. However, the Cochin rulers had to pay tribute to the Dutch, which limited their autonomy.

By the late 18th century, the Mysore invasions led by Hyder Ali and later his son, Tipu Sultan, posed a significant threat to the Cochin state. Tipu Sultan captured much of northern Kerala and forced Cochin to become a tributary state. This period was marked by widespread destruction and conflict in the region.

The British Era

After the defeat of Tipu Sultan in the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1792), the British East India Company started asserting its influence over Cochin. In 1795, the British took full control of the Malabar Coast, including Cochin, which became a princely state under British suzerainty.

The Cochin princely state was allowed internal autonomy under the British, though its external affairs and defence were managed by the British government. The Cochin rulers, known as the Maharajas of Cochin, were seen as progressive and implemented various administrative, social, and educational reforms during this period.

The Indian Union

With India’s independence in 1947, the princely state of Cochin acceded to the newly formed Indian Union. In 1949, it was merged with the neighbouring princely state of Travancore to form the state of Travancore-Cochin. Eventually, with the reorganization of states in 1956 based on linguistic lines, the region became part of the state of Kerala.

Stamps of Cochin

Cochin issued its first postal stamps in 1892. The state post was called Anchal and had a bilateral agreement with the Travancore Anchal in which the postage material of one state was valid in the other state.

The first postal stamp of Cochin illustrated its state emblem – a conch, an umbrella, a palanquin and a lamp, in an oval motif with the name of the state and the denomination in both English and Malayalam.

The next design was issued in 1898. There were four designs in total, the first and third being similar except for the floral pattern while the other two were similar as well except for the shape of the central area. The first set contained the numeric denomination in a circle at the centre, the inscription COCHIN ANCHAL and the denomination in English inside a frame of concentric circles. the second set had the denomination in the innermost circle while the denomination and name were in other circles.

Since 1911, Cochin started issuing stamps with royal portraits. A total of six rulers of the state found space on the stamps – Rama Varma I, Rama Varma II, Kerala Varma II, Ravi Varma, and Kerala Varma III. On these stamps, the name of the state was put on the top in English and Malayalam while the denomination was set at the bottom in words and on the sides in numerals. The floral patterns and borders varied.

Two pictorial stamps were issued in 1949 after Cochin merged with India. These stamps depicted the Dutch Palace in Cochin and the famous Chinese fishing nets. These two stamps are said to be part of a larger set, most of which never got issued.