Goud Saraswat Brahmins of Cochin

Cochin Goud Saraswat Brahmins, also known as Cochin GSB's are a sub-group of the Goud Saraswat Brahmins, who are native to Cochin and Travancore in the Kerala state of India. They are descended from those GSB's who settled in former princely states of Cochin and Travancore. GSBs of northern Kerala are similar to GSBs of Canara in speech and customs, whereas GSBs of former princely states of Cochin and Travancore have developed their own dialect and Customs, which distinguish them from rest of GSB community. In Geographical terms, Cochin GSBs are those who live south of Trissur district of Kerala.

History

GSBs started trickling into Cochin from late 13th century onwards following the military campaign by Alla-ud-din Khilji. The largest and the last great migration happened in A.D 1560 in wake of the inquisition in Goa. History of Cochin GSBs can be divided into three eras.

Late 13th century to late 18th century - Golden Era

The islamic incursions into Goa in late 13th century triggered a migration of Goud Saraswat Brahmins, a small number of them settled in Cochin. In the 14th century, Cochin (only a village before the Portuguese turned it into their first city in India) started to emerge as an important trade post, and commercial prospects attracted many Goud Saraswat Brahmins to Cochin.

The Goud Saraswat Brahmins of Cochin played a key role in the emergence of Cochin as the international trade centre. Local rajas had granted them...
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