Kunhali Marakkars - Tracing the Naval Defence of Kunhali Marakkars against the Portuguese in the 16th Century Malabar

India was an abode of natural resources, which is also why it attracted foreign colonisers. In 1498, the Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama set foot on the Malabar Coast, altering Indian history forever. The atrocities unleashed on the civilians and ruthless trade, drew opposition both inland and waters. The Zamorins of Calicut defended the Portuguese on land and his admirals Kunhali Marakkars defended them on the Arabian Sea. This paper aims in tracing the history of four Kunhali’s Naval defence against the Portuguese in the 16th century and to appreciate their efforts in defending the first European power in India.