Maritime trade has played a significant role in history of Kerala. Expansion of trading activities created space in the trading world of Kerala which attracted new migration of foreign communities. Nestorian Church of Persia under the protection of Caliphate expanded its influence and its diocese were found both in China and India around eleventh century. Christians of Kerala were affiliated to Nestorian Church. The western linkage of the Christians made them significant in maritime venture and the local rulers, responding to the changing economic paradigms of the sea, patronized the Christians while bestowing certain privileges. Christians of Kerala never faced any social degradation. They continued to enjoy various privileges granted to them by the local rulers until the Zamorin of Calicut, with the help of resources generated by Muslim Karimi merchants, deprived the Christians of Quilon of all privileges transferring the same to the Muslims of Calicut.
Kerala Christians, Maritime trade, Nestorian Church, Quilon, Calicut
