Abstract:
The history of Ship building in India dates back to the times of Indus Valley
Civilization, Lothal in Gujarat has served first tide dock of the world for berthing
and maintenance of the ships in about 2500 BC. Emulating the Portuguese the
Zamorin of Calicut and adjacent Kingdoms started building bigger ships for
transport of cargo and for war activities. The availability of Teak for ship building
in Nilambur, Beypore, influence of Arabians, Portuguese, Chinese, Persians,
Egyptians etc, brisk trade on spices like Pepper, Ginger, Cardamom, Cinnamon,
Turmeric etc also lead to the ship building industry to flourish in the Coromandel
Coast. Vanchi, Pattemari, Toni, Odam, Paduva, Kevu Vallam, Kettu Vallam
Charakku Vallam etc where used to denote the designs of the ships manufactured
by the skilled craftsmen of the Coromandel Coast. This industry brought a larger
transformation in the socio-economic and life of the people of the region.
Khalasis, Odayis, Baramis, Kammalas, Kayyaravaks and Aasaris were some of
the communities involved in different processes of ship building. Intrusion of
technology, migration of traditionally skilled craftsmen to other fields, scarcity of
quality wood and restrictions of the government has made this ancient profession
in wane. This research article attempts to historically trace the ship building
activity in the Coromandel Coast with special focus on Beypore.
