Ponnani - A Port Town

Case Study in Urban Design Summer Work, 2012

Masters of Architecture in Urban Design Faculty of Architecture, CEPT University, Ahmedabad Faculty In-Charge Prof. PVK Rameshwar Umesh Shurpali Submitted by Noble UD 6811

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I would like to thank Prof P.V.K Rameshwar, Coordinator Umesh Shurpaliand Prof Rajiv Kadam for their constant motivation and inputs. I would also like to thank... T.V. Abdurrahman Kutti master, Prof Haridas (Calicut University), Prof K. N. Ganesh (Calicut University), Prof Pious Melekandathil(JNU) and Mr. M. E. S. Narayanan (former Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research) for valuable discussions. Mr.T.V. Abdurrahman Kutti for showing me around the site and providing local informations. My friend Kiranjith Sivavalsan to accompany me during my site visits and providing stay at site. Last but not the least, I express my sincerest gratitude to my parents for being extremely supportive.

Noble George

Case Study in Urban Design, Summer 2012 Ponnani - An Old Port Town

Name UD 6811 Masters of Architecture Urban Design

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 : Introduction!
1.01 History 1.02 Site, Location

Chapter 2: Urban Design Denition!

2.1 Denition of Urban Design in the project

Chapter 3: Context and Opportunity!

3.1 Urban development context in which the project is visualized 3.2 Urban design opportunity

Chapter 4: Project Proposal!

4.1 Project brief and design concept 4.2 Design strategy

4.3 Complete design & Actual realization on site evolution, structure plan/master plan, urban design plan, design principles, design features and urban design controls 4.4 Residential Typologies

Chapter 5: Analysis and critical appraisal!

5.1 Critical analysis and appraisal of the case from concept to implementation

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Bibliography!
Books: Websites: Documentaries:

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Chapter 1 : Introduction
1.01 History
PLACES OF MALABAR Source: JORNADA-1606

According to historical records, Ponnanis history dates back to 2000 years. Numerous evidences available of Megalithic period related to their funerary customs. Laterite rock-cut caves, Urn burials, Hat stones, Hood stones are some of Megalithic monuments found in area near by Ponnani. In old Greek litrature Most of the historians believes that Tyndis, a port town, which comes in old Greek litrature is Ponnani. The author of the Periplus (an ancient Greek literary genre presenting an account of a coastal sea voyage) refers to Tyndis as a large village close to the shore situated 500 stadia(about 60 miles) north of Muziris. Other than that, Pliny( Historia Naturalis;87CE ) & Ptolemy (Geographike Hyphegesis; 95CE-162CE) also mentioning about Tyndis. Thamil poetic works, Akananuru and Purananuru (600 BCE - 300 CE)

also mentioning about Tyndis. According to them Tyndis was a place of great natural beauty, filled with coconut gardens and paddy fields. It use to have traders from Europe, Persia, Arabia, Egypt and China. That time it was having a major population of Jains.
There are differences of opinion regarding the evolution of the name 'Ponnani'. Legend has it that the Ponnana (meaning a type of elephant in Malayalam) was auctioned in the Brahmin temples here and thus came to be known as Ponnani. Yet another legend says that a ruler called Ponnan ruled the land and was thereafter called Ponnani. Historical records rather point to another truth. The use of Gold coins ('Ponn - nanayam' in Malayalam). This represents the wealth that was brought in by the trade relations with the Arabs and Europeans. In political History, Ponnani used to be under the control of the Namboothiri feudal lords(Tirumalachery Kings). Later in 13th century CE it came under the rule of Zamorins of Calicut and became second capital town of Zamorin. When Vasco De Gama landed at Kappad in Kozhikode in 1498,Sammothiri was residing in Ponnani. The rule of Samoothiris came to an end when Hyder Ali, the then ruler of Mysore, captured the place. Ponnani then became a part of Mysore kingdom and later under the rule of his son Tipu Sultan. The road from Palakkad to Ponnani, Tipu Sultan Road was named after him.The fall of Tipu Sultan led Ponnani to be a part of Bombay Province under the British rule. Later this place became a part of Malabar under Madras state.After independence, when the state of Kerala was formed in 1956, Ponnani was included in Palakkad district. In 1969, the Malappuram district came into being and Ponnani became part of that. Ponnani, often referred as the cultural capital of Kerala Muslims. The Thottungal Masjid built by Sheikh Faridudhin, is the oldest mosque in Ponnani, which was located near Appithodu a small canal. This canal later became a part of Canoli canal whicjh was devoloped by R.Canoli a British collector in 1848. Canoli canal connected the main trade centers like Kozhikode, Ponnani, Chavakkad, Kodungallur and Kochi. References in Malabar Manual William Logon, the historian, records in his Malabar manual about the Ponnani Juma Masjid built in 925 Hijrah (1519 CE) is 90 ft long and 60 ft wide. Zainudhin Ibn Ali Ibn Ahmed Mabari was the one who built it. He was the Makhdum, meaning the one who was worthy of service. He held the reigns of spiritual leadership of Muslims in and around Ponnani. According to William Logon, in 1887 there were 400 students in the Juma Masjid Madrasa.

Vasco DA gama in front of zamorin -A rendering of the scene by the Portuguese painter Velos Salgado

Canoli canal in 1930 Source:www.columbia.edu

Ponnani Harbour in 1930 Source:www.columbia.edu

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1.02 Site, Location

Name of the market and settlement: Kochangadi and Kachitheruvu Location:Kerala, Malappuram district; towards the West along the Arabian sea coast. Period in focus: 14th to end of16 th century. Rulers: Zamorins of Malabar.

Ponnani clear boundary on all four sides, West-Arabian sea, East-Canoli canal, North-Bharathapuza, South Pookaithapuza

The study will be focused on Port, two streets ( Kocngadi and Kachitheruvu) a public square which connects these two streets and Juma masjid which built in the same direction of these streets.
Geographical Location of Ponnani

Chapter 2: Urban Design Denition

2.1 Definition of Urban Design in the project
Urban design can enhance the potentials of an existing environment and makes it interesting habitual place to live in. In a historic settlement identifying the factors which structured the place physically and socially or enhanced the living quality becomes an important factor. Here potential of the site initialized a major activity, and it attract more people of different social,financial,cultural background. The interactions and negotiations these people had in between them gave direction to further formation and establishment of a town. The urban design definition within the current case can be seen as complementation and negotiations between the natural systems and the inhabitants, also between inhabitants themselves as structuring element.

Chapter 3: Context and Opportunity

3.1 Urban development context in which the project is visualized
Ponnani use to be a domestic port in the beginning. Later it started getting international attention because of its geographic location and may decline of Port Muziris becase of a natural disaster in 13th Century. Agricultural growth in the hinterland, availability of surplus, the amount of importance given to the commerce and overseas trade in the development of commodity production and exchange in the hinterland are the certain necessary preconditions to urban growth. The regional components played an important role in the history of urbanization. The development of urban settlement was based on materials available locally and the character and nature of the village influenced the urban centers to a large extent. Different levels of marketing centers in the area of study. We can classify as Local Trade Market, Long Distance Overland Trade and Long Distance Overseas Trade in the broad way. Ponnani was the major outlet of overseas trade. Spices, not necessarily a luxury item, formed a major item of export. Among them pepper ranked the highest, in terms of quantity of export especially to the Roman Empire. Fragrant woods were also a part of this trade. It is possible that Ponnani(Tyndis) was involved in this trade through the River Bharathapuzha. whose tributaries would have brought down the pepper from Malabar hills. The involvements of Case Study in Urban Design, Summer 2012 Ponnani - An Old Port Town
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Chinese and Arab merchants are also seen in the port of Ponnani. The Campu and tha Sandesakavya-s Provide us information about the presence of Chinese and Arab traders on this coastal area and in the interior markets. These texts referred them as Chinar (China) and Chonakar and Tulukar (Arabs). Reference to the small Chinese ships called Chambrani is found in the Unniyachecaritam. The huge Chinese vases, utensils and their coins are seen preserved even today in certain houses of the Valluvanad area as a symbol of prosperity and majesty. This indicates the influence of the Chinese trade even among the local people. The horse, which had been brought from Arabian countries through the western seashore, were taken to the East for the sovereigns of Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara by Kuttirachettis of Kulamukku.(P 2008) The contributions of the peasant societies of the area offered a high degree of subsistence production and so the people of the hinterland were not dependent on long distance commerce for daily requirements. The long distance trade mainly oriented towards in luxury items like Copper, Gold, Gems, Textile and Horses. These were meant for elite consumption and not for local exchange. Members of royal and noble families acquired and used them for enhancing their status and prestige moreover offered them as gifts to the poets and bards.(P 2008)

3.2 Urban design opportunity

The Long Distance Overland Trade and Long Distance Overseas Trade provided an opportunity for the Urban formation. Commerce provided an opportunity of mix of different cultures and religion. Even the land was ruled by Hindu Kings, major population in the Port area was Muslims in the period of focus. Most of the local Hindu population gradually converted in to Muslims because of the strange social practices in the Hindu religion. Only People who is related to trade were only settled in this area other than Muslims. Gujarati Muslims(Memon) from Kutch region were the other major trading community settled in the study area. After juma masjid being built in 15th Century, Ponnani became one of the major religious centre for the Muslims. William Logan says Ponnani had 85% of Muslim population in 18th Century. Francis buchanan is also mentioning about the Muslim majority in the area .Presently it has 95% of Muslim population.

Pond by Tipu Sultan street with three mosques around it.

Chapter 4: Project Proposal

4.1 Project brief and design concept
The project proposal in this historic context can be seen as an accumulative evolution forced by commerce, natural elements, and social needs of people. In the initial stages it was a small domestic port with some warehouses, small market streets and temporary settlements. As the trade flourished in the needs of the market and settlement increased. This force guided expansion of the living environments and elongation of existing market streets or formation of new ones. Mix of religion and culture brought in new social frame work, new religious and public institutions were made. This constant force of new developments and changes in trade relationships caused expansion or reformation of existing neighborhoods. Core elements of the development was Port, Market streets and religious institutions. Major institutions had a pond along with it.

4.2 Design strategy

Glimpses of high level mutual cooperation and interdependent society is still visible in the settlement. This can be seen as a society strategy to come together, which will be the deciding factor for opportunities for interaction, transparency between inhabitants while visualizing a physical form to live together. Rich people use to share their private Wells with public with little bit land. Public square used to have common wells for common people. Most of the residences have verandah and windows abutting the street and also have internal courtyard, which provides flexibility in interaction and privacy.

A common Well in public open space.

Residence abutting the street.

A private Well Partially provided for public use

Street edge condition in residential area

section: Residential street edge

section: Use of both private and public

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4.3 Complete design & Actual realization on site evolution, structure plan/master plan, urban design plan, design principles, design features and urban design controls

PORT

PORT

WAREHOUSE

WAREHOUSE URU MAKING YARD

AP

AP HU PIT DU
SEA

HU PIT DU

SEA Conjectural form of Ponnani - 1300 CE. Thottunkal Mosque at the centre and Kochngadi as a main street.

Conjectural form of Ponnani - 1550 CE. Addition of Theruvathu Mosque, Akathe Mosque.

FISHING HARBOR PORT URU MAKING YARD WAREHOUSE SEA

SEA

Conjectural form of Ponnani - 1700 CE. Kochangadi became secondary street.

Ponnani - Present condition

Thottinkal Mosque: First Mosque in Ponnani. It was made approximately at the centre of the settlement. It is now situated at the edge of the River Bharathapuza. north side of the land and settlement gradually became part of the river. It was built near by a canal called Aappithodu, Which is why the name of the mosque became Thottunkal Mosque (Mosque near thodu). Theruvatu Mosque: This use to be a part of a market street called Kochangadi and Kachitheruvu. The name of the Mosque came because of this reason, Mosque by the Theruvu (street). Akathe Mosque: This Mosque being made right outside of the Kachitheruvu. This small Mosque was built inside a house, for the stay of Maqdoom while he was monitoring the works of Juma Masjid

Above: Akathe Mosque, which was inside a private compound of the house. Left end - Thottunkal Mosque in present condition. It might have modified several times. Initial form might have with stone walls and coconut leafs roof according to the historic explanation, buildings in Ponnani was made out of those materials Immediate Left: Theruvathu Mosque - View from Entrance

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BHARATHAPUZA

FISHING HARBOR

1.Fishing harbor

2.Abandoned godowns ARABIAN SEA

N
3.Abandoned godown on street edge

Study area

Present day Ponnani - Built unbuilt plan Showiing Built masses in black and water bodies.Source: Drawing generated from Google earth image.

BHARATHAPUZA

FISHING HARBOR

4.Main market street

2 3 4

5.Sea side - Fishers' settlement ARABIAN SEA

N
6.Sea side with abandoned godowns for fish storage

Study area

Present day Ponnani - Land use plan Showiing Institutions, commercial buildings residences and water bodies. Source: Drawing generated from Google earth image.

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BHARATHAPUZA

FISHING HARBOR

7.Canoli canal and partially abandoned commercial center 8 11 7

9 ARABIAN SEA

CA LI C NO

8.Court building built in British period

A AN L

N
9.Trikkavu Temple - Built in 1500 CE

Study area

Present day Ponnani - Structure plan-Showing water boodies and road structure.Source: Drawing generated from Google earth image.

10.Only remains of Thirunanasserry kotta. Who use to be rulers of Ponnani before Samoothiri (position not in the map)

11.Narrow streets in residential settlement

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Kochnngaadi

PUBLIC SQURE

2. Towards Port

3. Public square

Va l

iya

ga

ad

N
4.Towards Valiyangaadi

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Kachithruvu

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5. Towards Port 5

6. Towards Port

OFFICE FOR JUMA MASJID

7. Towards Port

JUMANASJID

N
8. Towards Port

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OFFICE SECTION FOR MASJID

JUMA MASJID

WAY T O POR T
TR Y

EN

TR Y

POND

EN

CEMETERY

N
Plan - Juma Masjid and surroundings - Present condition. Source: Plan generated from Google earth image

Left: View of pond and school building behind Above: Entrance of the Mosque from Pond with shops on the edge of the Mosque Right Side: View from North side entrance.

Juma Masjid: Most of the major institutions use to have pond near by it. Juma Masjid have three entries and some of the edges have commercial buildings. It have its office and staying facilities for the visitors and people who comes for conversion next to it. This place considered as second Mecca of Muslim community. This Mosque was built in 1518 CE. According to Logans description The Mosque is a Spacious four storied building, 90 feet in length and 60 feet in breadth, and stands close to the Jaram or Mausoleum, which contains his own and his successors remains.. The Mosque building was constructed by Hindu artisans, similarity to the Temple architecture visible because of this reason.

Section - Kochangaadi, Present condition.

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Noble UD 6811 Masters of Architecture Urban Design

TR Y

Section - Old Valiyangaadi (Big Bazar street), which became main street in 17th Century which is still not dead even after Port

Big Bazar have godowns or shops at bottom and offices on top. Street doesn't have foot path but most of the shops have verandah in front. In present condition most of the shops can be seen as abandoned. The trades were dependent on port were closed down, but remains of the old trade materials like Kerosine barrels are still there in front of some shops.

Long fabric awnings were special characteristics of Arab era. Transportation was by hand carts and bull carts. The shops were ground structures made of wood and stone. Coconut leafs majorly used as roof covers

Conjectural section of kochangaadi in 16th Century.

Conjectural sketches of development of the study area from 12th century to 16th century, showing Port, godowns, major institutional buildings and settlements.

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4.4 Residential Typologies

Residence Typology - Gujarati Trading community .

Residence Typology - Low income .

Chapter 5: Analysis and critical appraisal

5.1 Critical analysis and appraisal of the case from concept to implementation
Foreign trade acted as a major force for the urban development of the region. Free trade culture emerged here, created a harmonious social realm in this area. This attracted more migrants from different regions of the country. The typologies of this settlement still has its unique character, which happened due to the evolved Life style in the region. Residential typologies shows that rich people more conservative in nature and wanted more privacy and middle class, even if they have private open space still have a place to interact with street. The entire development process can be seen as relation between natural features and man made features and everyday practices of people, at the same time keeping the social integrity of the groups and their territorial definitions. The war with Portuguese majorly affected trade relationships with other regions and the buildings in the settlement. The post independence saw lot of migration from Malabar to Arab countries in search of better jobs and business.

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Bibliography
Books:
176)

Shaik Zainudheen Makhdum; Tuhfatul-Mujahideen. 1467-1521.(Translated and Annotated by C. Hamsa; Kozhikode;1995. p. W. Logan; Logans Malabar Manual. 1879. (Translated by T.V. Krishnan; Kozhikode;1997. p.768) Dr. Hussain Randathani; Makhdoomum Ponnaniyum. Kozhikode; 2010; p.464. Prof. Abdurrahman; Mappila Charitra Shakalangal.1998; Ponnani; p.145. T.V. Abdurrahman Kutti; Charithramurangunna Ponnani; 2012; p.64. Greeshmalatha; Historical Geography of Valluvanadu; Doctorate thesis; 2008; University of Calicut. Abdurahiman K P; Mappila Heritage: A Study in Social and Cultural Life; Doctorate thesis; 2004; University of Calicut. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (40CE - 50CE); Translated by Wilfred H. Schoff; 1912 New York

Namboothiri, N M; Samoothiri Charithrathile Kanappurangal; Sukapuram: Vallathol Vidyapeedam; 1987.

Francis Buchanan; A journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar Vol 1,2&3; 1807; London. De Gouvea Translated by Dr. Pius Malekandathil; Jornada of Dom Alexis de Menezes: A Portuguese account of the Sixteenth century Malabar;First published in Portuguese in Coimbra, Portugal in 1606.

Websites:
ponnani-public.blogspot.in www.malabarandkeralastudies.net historicalleys.blogspot.in www.environmentalgraffiti.com

Documentaries:
Naranipuza shanavas; Ponnani; presented by TASC for SAMIA (Students Association of Maunathul Islam Arabic College).

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