A seminar on ‘Maritime Encounters on the Western Seaboard’ was conducted at the Naval Base, Kochi under the aegis of the Maritime History Society (Southern Region). The Maritime History Society (MHS), a nascent organisation, aims at promoting the study of maritime history-related topics. The society is located in the Maritime Museum premises at the Naval Base, Kochi.

Rear Admiral R Chopra, Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) inaugurated the seminar by lighting the traditional lamp. Welcoming the distinguished guests, the Rear Admiral, in his inaugural address, appreciated the efforts put in by the society to revive the interest in the glorious maritime history which dates back to over 3000 years. The Indian maritime history reveals that the early Indians were indeed wonderful sailors maintaining both warships and merchant ships cruising the waters around India and far beyond highway of trade and social intercourse, he added. He also released the MHS (SR) journal on this occasion. Delivering the keynote address, Prof KKN Kurup, Vice Chancellor of Calicut University, reiterated the fact that the revitalisation of interest in maritime history of the southern region by the MHS was acting as a shot in the arm. Speaking on the series of encounters which had taken place in the Arabian Sea during the 16th century and the advent of the Portuguese in the Arabian waters, he quoted Alfred T Mahan: ‘Whoever controls the Indian Ocean controls Asia. This ocean is the key to the Seven Seas’.

Six papers were presented during the seminar. Presenting the first on the Marakkars of Malabar, Dr EP Antony, Secretary of the Kerala History Association highlighted the role played by the Marakkars in the attempts to thwart the European efforts to colonise the country. Dr PRG Mathur, a retired anthropologist, in his paper, dealt with the Moplah fishermen’s attitude towards the marine environment. The experienced maritime anthropologist also spoke at length on the navigational skill of the Moplahs and compared it with the present-day knowledge of navigation. Lt Cdr Puruvir Das gave an account of various maritime activities that took place on the West Coast. The paper also brought out the brilliance of the medieval Indian mariner in resisting foreign domination in the Battle of Vijaydurg.