Kerala is a small geographical area which is situated in the southern part of India (South-India). The state is intertwined with the Arabian Sea in its west. Wonderful beaches of this state, especially at Kovalam and Cherai beech attract large number of tourists from various part of the world. This state is blessed with beautiful greenery in mountainous parts which is situated in the east of the State. Munnar in Idukki district and Nilgiri hill ranges in Wayanadu district are such tourist destinations of Kerala. This state is a narrow stretch with the sea from its north to south and is populated by those who speak Malayalam language. It has tropical climate and is rich with tropical plants and cultivation.
During the medieval period the whole state of Kerala had been called as Malabar. During the medieval period this geographical area got world wide fame as land of black pepper. Greeks and Romans visited Malabar in ancient times to load their vessels with black pepper, much wanted product in Europe. In the similar way Chinese and Persians also collected black pepper from Kerala during the ancient period. Foreign traders especially from Egypt and Syria introduced ancient religions including Judaism and Christianity to the Kerala population. A good number of Jews and Christians had been settled in various port cities of Kerala. As we mentioned in previous posts, continuous interaction by means of trade caused changes in the culture of people living in the state of Kerala.
In fourth century of Christian Era, Roman empire become weak and Persians and the Arabs from Oman, Bahrain and Yemen developed as major players in the Indian Ocean. Persian ships traded with India and China and worked as middlemen in international maritime trade of pepper, silk and other Chinese products. In seventh century Arab army under Caliph Umar invaded Persia and most of Persian population embraced religion of Islam. Majority of maritime traders who traded with India and China during the early medieval period were Muslims from Persia and South Arabia. Such Muslim traders who collected pepper from Malabar introduced religion of Islam to the Kerala population.
