The book, “Livres des merveilles du monde,” (“Book of the Marvels of the World,”) written by Marco
Polo, the celebrated Venetian traveler who visited Quilon and other places in
Kerala towards the end of the 13th century; the travel accounts
namely “De varietate fortunae"
("On the Vicissitudes of Fortune,") of Niccolo de’ Conti, another
Venetian traveler in India and Far East during 1419-44 and others, inspired the
Europeans especially the Portuguese for travel and exploration to the Malabar
Coast and other places in India and the Far East. To Contie, “China was a good place to make
money in and Cochin to spend it at.” These travel accounts inspired the European
Kings and the people for exploration. The Kings of Portugal established
observatories, centers for the study of Geography and training centers in
Lisbon to train interested sailors. They also declared rewards for sailors who
secure remarkable achievements. The Popes at Rome too encouraged the sailors
with an intention to propagate Christianity. In 1487, Captain Burthlomio Diaz
made an attempt to sail to the Malabar Coast; he reached the southern tip of
Africa, which he named as the “Cape of Good Hope.” The weather conditions were
adverse; two of his ships were drowned in the turbulent sea. The crew members
revolted and he had to call off the trip and returned to Portugal as a
discontented man. Meanwhile, the King of Portugal sent two of his close
Portuguese aides, Pedro de Covilham and Paiva, to collect information in
advance about the availability of spices and other trade secrets. They went to
various ports like Barcelona in Spain, Naples in Italy, and Alexandria in
Egypt. They posed as Moroccan Arabs and engaged in trading various articles. At
Eden port they parted ways and continued their different missions. Pedro de
Covilham continued his journey and reached Kannur in an Arab ship; then he went
to Calicut and collected details about the availability of spices, the trade
secrets and trade routes. He also gathered information about the potential
ports where the goods are sold and the huge profit made by the Arabs. After
this he travelled to Goa by land. He finally returned to Eden port, where he
was to meet Paiva, who was sent on a different mission. Paiva did not arrive on
the planned date of meeting. Later, he came to know that Paiva was killed by
the Arabs in Cairo. Pedro de Covilham, the first Portuguese to visit Malabar
Coast, reported all the information he collected and his treasure of
experiences to the King. Vasco da Gama (1498) had the benefit of these valuable
trade secrets and other information when he arrived at Calicut. The Portuguese
had a keen interest in the spice trade and in spreading Christianity.
Excerpts from
MEMOIRS
An autobiography
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
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