company from the payment of import taxes. Further treaties eroded the power of the government and turned the kingdom into a puppet state of the company. Bolgatty Palace was built by Dutch traders after the Dutch conquest of Cochin. Mysorean period After the Mysorean invasion of Cochin, the government of Cochin had to pay a one-off tribute of 1 lakh Ikkeri pagodas, and an annual tribute of 30,000 pagodas and four elephants to Mysore. British period Trade in at port increased substantially after the British Empire took control of Cochin. To develop Cochin port, Robert Bristow was brought to Cochin in 1920 by Lord Willingdon, Governor of Madras. Present period In the early 2000s, the city witnessed heavy investment, and experienced a GDP growth rate of 8.3%. See also Marine Drive Notes