The most developed route, which was also the shortest and safest,began from the Red Sea port of Myos Hormos and /or Berenice and reached the famous Malabar port of Muziris (Muciri of the Tamil Sangam texts) in forty days by following the Hippalus (i.e. Trade in Early India, Oxford University Press says the following on page 66: ' Thanks to a graphic description left behind by Pliny, historians are able to trace the development of the sea-route to the west coast of India in four-stages. It is documented that around the beginning of the Christian era Muziris on Kerala's coast was the largest trading port on India's Western coast known for its West Asian settlements. It is generally believed that this points to a West Asian origin for the communities. In many areas they were perpetually in conflict with Nairs for patronage and the granting of privileges from the local kings or chieftains.Ī key element that separates out the Mappila communities from the others in India and Kerala is the obvious West Asian influence. The differences in claimed descent meant that SyrChr communities were accorded different social statuses in different regions.

Further, many families and whole communities claim descent from Jewish settlers. It is well known that SyrChrs practised polygyny (and in some cases polyandry) where the subsequent wives would be from socially lower (usually Hindu)communities. Some SyrChrs families are considered 'high' born while others are not considered so. Perhaps the most important point to keep in mind is that it is well known and documented that the SyrChrs are not homogeneous - not culturally, not genetically nor in terms of social status.Ĭulturally the SyrChrs have practises that differ across localities as well as across families. I will try to separate out each of these as I present my take on the history of the Syrian Christians(SyrChrs). Some of the theory is mine, some of it is others. Some of it is theoretical, some of it is based on folklore, some on known trends in Kerala&India. I would like to weigh in with my take on the origin of the Syrian Christians aka Nasrani Mappilas.

1502 calibre springs way