Ahmedabad: Many may not be aware of the state but there is little Gujarat, almost 259 years, located in the port city of Kerala Alaptazha – East Venice – which has a deep and strong history of Gujarati spice trade which once ruled the spice route.
Recently, work has begun to revive this Gujarati heritage in Kerala.
Kerala has started reviving this rich trading hub, including the building, a private house and warehouse, two years ago but the project was delayed because of Covid.
To start, the alappuzha legacy project will cover the entire ‘Gujarati Quarters’ which includes coastal roads, Jalan Gujarati, and the Muppalam area.
On September 14 this year, the tender to revive the Gujarati Heritage Center began with the revival of Anil Seth’s house taken at a cost of Rs 1.41 Crore.
Sethershers Brothers is one of the leading exporters of spices.
Their pastor Manilal Tribhuvandas Seth bought Ratna Pantikashala near their residence.
In the 90s, the two brothers sold all their properties and returned to Bombay.
“The house will be restored with the right stone, wood work, finishing, freshwater supply works, internal drainage, sanitation equipment, and other works others,” said the Kerala Tourism Department document.
Grandpa Seth came to Alappuzha in the 19th century.
Corporate Tourism Gujarat Limited Managing Director Jenu Devan told Tii, “The Kerala Government has approached us for technical assistance in reviving the Gujarati road and many inheritance buildings which are part of the alappuzha legacy project.
The Government Gujarat, including the Minister of Tourism previously committed all help before the second wave Pandemic.
We will expand all possible assistance.
“Gujarati Community such as Parsis, Jain, Vaishnavites, and Kutchi Memon has joined the growth of traders who came to establish a shop and build a warehouse in Alappuzha Town.
It should be noted here that during the Dharma Raja Varma Karthika government in the 18th century, King Kesavdas, Diwan Travancore in Kerala, developed Alappuzha into the port of around 1762.
Diwan built two parallel channels to transport trade vessels to the city’s core.
It is mainly to encourage Gujarati traders to take advantage of facilities to export coconut oil derivatives, coir and sumps, and spices.
‘Little Guj’ in the city of Port Kerala to regain glory
