The subdued name but has a powerful role for the entire Kerala state, Ernakulam district is located at the centre for Kerala geographically and economically. Due to the overwhelmed fame of Kochi, the name of the district gets underneath. Ernakulam is the ‘Commercial capital of Kerala’ and its headquarters Kochi is referred as ‘The Queen of the Arabian Sea’. Once a small fishing hamlet, Kochi was transformed into a natural harbour by a flood in 14th century. Drawn by the rich aroma of spices and sandalwood, the first Colonial merchants arrived here around the 16th century and wrestled the profitable spice trade away from the Arab merchants. Mercantile interests propelled political ambition and soon the appointment of the Thampuran of Cochin came to be controlled by Portuguese and later, Dutch rulers. The Dutch invasion began around 1653 and by 1663 they emerged victorious over the Portuguese. The Dutch were defeated by the potential rulers of Mysore Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. Finally, when the whole nation lost to the British, Kochi too became a part of the British empire in 1814. The magnificent forts built here were destroyed by the British. Under the supervision of Sir Robert Bristow, Kochi was developed into a major harbour and Willingdon Island was created. Willingdon Island now accommodates the Cochin Port, Naval Airport and the headquarters of the southern Naval Command apart from a host of other trading and commercial establishments. This city has an electrifying influence of the Arabs, British, Chinese and Portuguese intriguing mix culture and architecture.