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From shaping the region’s ethos and cultural life to profoundly impacting its political dynamics, Kerala’s most prized spice tipped the scales in favour of local rulers, giving them leverage in the control of major ports and hinterlands.
Dr. Pius Malekandathil will trace historical sources that mention pepper money, analysing milestones like the pro-pepper policies promoted by the Portuguese that transformed the agrarian landscape of Kerala through the inflow of gold, silver and copper, concentrating wealth to an unprecedented degree. With pepper taking centre stage, we witness the evolution of metal crafts and the emergence of major centres of pepper production and trade became hubs of cultural production during the pepper harvest, often in consonance with local religio-cultural festivities.
Pius Malekandathil, former Professor at the Centre for Historical Studies, JNU (2006–2021), is currently Vicar General of the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Kothamangalam, Kerala. He pursued research in Lisbon and post-doctoral work at Heidelberg University. He taught at St. Thomas College, Pala, Goa University, and Sree Sankaracharya University, Kalady. He has presided over key sessions at National history Congresses and was appointed to the University of Lisbon’s External Scientific Advisory Committee (2025). Recipient of the KCBC Vaijnanika Award (2021). His most notable works include Maritime Malabar (2022) and The Indian Ocean in the Making of Early Modern India (2016).
The Janal talk series is part of the programming around Janal Digital Archives. The Geojit Foundation supports Janal Archives and builds on the Museum’s founder Madhavan Nayar’s dream of making History accessible to all.
