in 1932) Rama Varma (1914–1932) – Madrasil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in Madras or Chennai) Rama Varma (1932–1941) – Dhaarmika Chakravarthi (King of Dharma), Chowara-yil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Chowara") Kerala Varma (1941–1943) – Midukkan Thampuran Ravi Varma (1943–1946) – Kunjappan Thampuran (Brother of Midukkan Thampuran) Kerala Varma (1946–1948) – Ikya-Keralam (Unified Kerala) Thampuran Foreign influences Kochi was under the influence of many foreign powers, during which the Raja of Kochi still remained the titular head. Portuguese period (1503–1663) The Portuguese arrived at Kappad Kozhikode in 1498 during the Age of Discovery, thus opening a direct sea route from Europe to India. Kochi was the scene of the first European settlement in India. In the year 1500, the Portuguese Admiral Pedro Álvares Cabral, landed at Cochin after being repelled from Calicut. The king of Kochi, a rival, welcomed the Portuguese as his guests and a treaty of friendship was signed. Promising his support in the conquest of Calicut, the admiral coaxed the king into allowing them to build a factory at Cochin. Assured by the support, the king called war with the Zamorins of Calicut. However, the admiral retreated in panic on seeing the powers of the Zamorin. Another captain, João da Nova, was sent in place of Cabral. However, he too faltered at the sight of the Zamorin. The consecutive retreats made the King of Portugal indignant. The king sent Vasco Da Gama, who bombed Calicut and destroyed the Arab trading posts. This invited the anger of the Zamorin, who declared a war against the Kochi Raja. The war between Calicut and Cochin began on 1 March 1503 and the second invasion lasted from 16 March, 1504, to 3 July, 1504 (Battle of Cochin (1504)). However, the oncoming monsoons and the arrival of a Portuguese fleet under Lopo Soares de Albergaria in September, 1504 (and a year later, the armada led by Francisco de Almeida and Afonso de Albuquerque), alarmed the Zamorin, and he recalled his army. The Zamorin resorted to a retreat also because the revered festival of Onam was near, and the Zamorin intended to keep the auspicious day holy. This led to a triumph for the king of Kochi, who later reestablished the possession of his kingdom. However, much of the kingdom was burnt and destroyed by the armies. The garrison, led by Duarte Pacheco Pereira, repelled the enemy. The ruler of the