1446, February 11th: Muziris, Cochin;;
A thriving bustle in Cochin, the ancient trading city mentioned in Roman chronicles was a new place for Giorgio. The sheer aroma of exotic spices pervaded the streets. People seemed happier than usual. That they were mainly pagans did not seem to bother them. Of course, it hardly bothered Giorgio that much either. He was past that. But he was glad to have met Yohannan Valiyaveettil, their host. The most powerful Christian landlord in this locality. Giorgio has learnt a lot in this last week at Cochin. Christianity reached this place long before it reached Europe. St. Thomas the Apostle had brought Christianity here and had established “The Seven and a Half Churches”. He had to visit them. It should provide some guidance. He badly needed divine assistance now.
1446, March 13th: Cochin; Home of Yohannan (John) Valiyaveettil.
The pilgrimage a success, Giorgio was now resting and recuperating from the torrid heat scourging this place. It was a pleasant surprise that Yohannan spoke Latin. He was lord of Pattanam, a small fiefdom granted to him by the Raja of Cochin in spite of his being a Christian. This spoke of his quality and ability. A scholar with incredible martial ability, he was the king’s chief captain- “Senapathy” they call him. But what interested Giorgio the most was Yohannan’s thoughts on Christendom and his plans of conquest. His family has long believed that they are descendants of a great Prester John, who fought with a “Lion” against the Saracens in the Holy Land. He is however hesitant to assist in Giorgio’s mission. Perhaps rightfully so since we have but 3000 men and few resources. It is hardly an army enough to cross enemy territory in Egypt and reach the Mediterranean. No, he is right. But what else is to be done? This was the dilemma plaguing Giorgio. Yohannan was an eminent merchant too. His family had long been tradesmen who managed to garner a strong position in the spice market and since have also ventured into acquiring steel from Colombo (referred to as Damascus Steel by most Westerners). They managed to get into the Cochin King’s good graces when they became the sole traders of Arab horses that Valiyaveettil tribes got to Cochin by selling pepper (black gold) to the Arabs.
Yohannan’s son, Geevarghese (George) the young lad is solely focused on martial prowess and related studies. He believes in Christian conquest of the vicinity. Giorgio spent hours talking to the lad but he is adamant that they should first establish a great stronghold here in Cochin. Giorgio suggested using his recruited army of New Christians but Geevarghese vehemently opposed the idea. He prefers waiting for the right opportunity. To strike only when the targets are at their weakest. Giorgio had to finally concede to waiting for reinforcements but Alfonse and Becket were against it. They wanted to leave. Yohannan convinced them otherwise when he came up with a grand plan.
Cochin was predominantly Hindu and had been conquered by Scythian Nagas(worshippers of Nag/snakes) or Nairs about 400 years earlier. They quickly embellished the caste system and used it to oppress the dark-skinned Dravidians and treated them like outcasts-Chandalas they were called. Giorgio found this brutal practice of “Untouchability” to be downright satanic. But Yohannan called it opportunity. For the last 6 years he had spend most of his wealth buying up small pieces of semi-arid land north of Pattanam. It had almost emptied his coffers but his gamble paid off. His missionary emissaries had been successful. Thousands of low caste serfs had run away from neighbouring Venad, Malabar and Madurai kingdoms having had enough of the oppression. They were starving but hardened by centuries of bonded labour. Yohannan had pledged each new family 4 cents of land each (1 cent = 440 square feet; 100 cents = 1 acre) to live on. The huts sprang up in no time. The arable land was leased to them. Yohannan retained ownership. The workers now earned 40% of the income they generated. In return, the liberated workers professed loyalty to their liege, Yohannan and converted to Christianity. The religious condition was hardly tedious for these new workers. Their previous Hindu affiliation had brought them nothing but untouchability and shame. Thus, this new Christianity was welcome, even a blessing for them. Their only concern was that Yohannan had ordered them to cultivate pulses, aromatic spices and pepper instead of rice. The semi-arid land was hardly suitable for rice anyway therefore opposition to this condition was negligible. Pepper however was perfectly suited to the conditions and Yohannan’s family history with pepper ensured efficient economical performance.
Yohannan according to the despotic rules, had to pay 33% of his earnings to his liege lord, the King of Cochin but he went extra and paid an extra 10% over the stipulated payment. This earned him his liege’s favour while the extra land now under him ensured he still earned extra. This was the scenario in which Giorgio found himself when he and his camp arrived in Cochin. Yohannan had allowed Giorgio’s band to live freely on his land. In return, Giorgio helped establish monasteries and houses of learning and healing around Pattanam. It was the last of these that Yohannan seemed most interested in. As part of the tropical coastal kingdom of Cochin, Pattanam had always been under the threat of tropical illnesses. Primary among these were the dreaded scourges of plague and leprosy. Yohannan’s family had a long history of dealing with these conditions. The Indian traditional medicines of turmeric, Neem, Tulsi and Cinnamon were mild reliefs against plague but were of no use against leprosy. But Yohannan had received priceless knowledge about a plant Chaulmoogra that originated in the Pegu. It showed stunning results against leprosy especially when treated during the initial stages. This plant was now extensively grown around the houses of healing established by Giorgio and it was tested regularly. But the results were kept secret and skilled disinformation was spread about the apparent failure of the plant. Slowly people in the neighbouring fiefdoms and kingdoms accepted the false news. Meanwhile, Christian and Jewish traders from the Middle East kept flocking to Cochin along with the Arabs and the Cochin trade sector flourished. The King of Cochin was happier than ever and his nephew, the new heir to the throne (The nagas were a matriarchal society where “marumakkathayam” or sisters’ sons were expected to inherit) was recently born. Alfonse and Becket now settled in Cochin teaching military skills to the new worker families and their children. Horses were a rarity in these parts hence cavalry was virtually unheard of. Yet the steady influx of Arab horses had helped the Latins set up an effective breeding stud farm. The new mixed farming culture around Pattanam ensured steady grass supply in the semi-arid fields. These grasses were planted in between seasons of pepper and pulses agriculture and helped fertilise the soil. They also provided food for the new stables of Yohannan. His long term plan ready, he prayed for an opportunity. The chance to seize the reins of his fate and establish the Christian kingdom he had longed for. It had to come sooner than later because Giorgio’s Latin Band were becoming impatient. Yohannan couldn’t blame them. They were warriors and the sedentary lifestyle could only be embraced for so long. It had been several years since they arrived and the Holy Land was still in their minds and hearts. Things were in a precarious position. Giorgio and Yohannan agreed on their future course of action but they knew they needed a miracle.
