Malabar

Malabar is a historical and geographic region along the southwestern coast of the Indian subcontinent, closely associated with the Malabar Coast of present-day Kerala and parts of southern Karnataka. The term has long described the coastal belt known for its spice production and maritime trade. The coastline faces the Arabian Sea and supports diverse ecosystems, including backwaters, coconut groves, and agrarian landscapes.

From ancient times, Malabar was a major node in the spice trade. The port of Muziris near Kodungallur connected merchants from Rome, Arabia, and China with interior kingdoms, exporting pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and other commodities. In the colonial era, Portuguese, Dutch, and British powers established trading posts and forts along the coast, shaping the region’s economic and political history.

Malabar is home to diverse communities, including Malayalam-speaking Hindus, Christians, and a significant Malabari Muslim population. The term Malabari is applied to people and cultural forms from the region, including distinctive cuisine that emphasizes coconut, curry leaves, and spices. Malabar dishes and culinary traditions are influential within Kerala’s broader cuisine.

Historically, the Malabar District was an administrative unit of the Madras Presidency under British rule. After Indian independence and state reorganizations, much of the region became part of Kerala. The Moplah Rebellion of 1921—an uprising by Malabar Muslims during the Khilafat movement—is a notable episode in the region’s modern history.