Understand
Central Kerala was once cradle of Imperial Chera civilization established in 300 BC with the Great Cheras establishing their capital at Muziris today's Kodungallur- 40 kms from Kochi. At height of Chera glory, they established an empire reaching till Ganges in North India. Chera's capital city- Muziris as known in Greek literature was one of the largest seaports in Ancient world with regular trading with Greeks, Roman, Mesopotamian and Chinese civilizations. With the decline of Chera powers by mid 11th century, choking of Muziris port due to Great floods of Periyar, the Central Kerala turned into boiling pot of various social and political turmoils. The Chera Dynasty was replaced by Kochi Kingdom with its capital at newly formed Kochi City which has covers the entire Central Kerala. The trading relations with West and Arabs helped Europeans to come into Kochi and formed a major political power in Kerala. By 18th century, British dominated the political power, as elsewhere in India.
British influence over Kochi Kingdom brought several strong British institutions to this area. When Kochi Kingdom merged with India in 1949, this area came under new state of Thiru-Kochi Travancore-Kochi. The area was renamed as a zone when Kerala State was formed in 1957.
Today its a major economic center with several industries located here. Along with this, Central Kerala is famous for its varied cultural potpourri, several famed festivals, tourists places and agricultural areas.
