Description

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Picture Courtesy:

https://southindiabycaranddriver.com/muziris-heritage-and-the-history-of-jews-in-kerala/

Context:

Recently it was announced that the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) will be held from December 12, 2025 to March 31, 2026 in which artist Nikhil Chopra will be the curator.

About Muziris:

Muziris or Muchiri is an ancient harbor and urban centre on the Malabar coast. However, the exact location has been a matter of dispute.

Muziris was mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, the Bardic Tamil poems, and some classical sources.

Pliny the Elder, in his Natural History, hailed Muziris as “the first emporium of India”

It was the major ancient port city of the Cheras.

It was also an important trading port for Christian and Muslim merchants which facilitated interactions between South India and Persia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the (Greek and Roman) Mediterranean region.

Export: Spices, semi-precious stones, pearls, diamonds, ivory, chinese silk, tortoise shells, etc.

Import: gold coins, peridots, multicolored textiles, copper, tin, coral, raw glass, wine, etc.

As the Roman trade declined from the 5th century AD, the port attracted the Persian, Chinese and Arab traders until the devastating floods of Periyar in 1341.

According to the recent findings through DNA analysis, Muziris was first occupied by the indigenous and ‘Megalithic’ (Iron Age) people. A continuous inflow of traders exemplified multicultural mixing in ancient South India.

Read about Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB)

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/kochi-muziris-biennale

Source:

THE HINDU

Practice Question

Q:With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as (UPSC 2023)

a) capital cities

b) ports

c) centres of iron-and-steel making

d) shrines of Jain Tirthankaras

Answer: b

Explanation:

Korkai was an ancient port city in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. It was an important port of the Cheras and served as a major trade center. Known for its exports of pearls, spices, and textiles, Korkai was also a major center for Buddhist and Jain learning.
Poompuhar, also known as Kaveripattinam, was an ancient port city on the banks of the river Kaveri in Tamil Nadu. It was a trading center during the Sangam period and played a vital role in maritime trade, especially in the export of goods like pearls, spices, and textiles.
Muziris or Muchiri is an ancient harbor and urban centre on the Malabar coast. However, the exact location has been a matter of dispute.