Kochi (Malayalam: ??????;) formerly Cochin; is a major port city on the west coast of India by the Arabian Sea.

In 1866; Fort Kochi became a municipality; and its first Municipal Council election was conducted in 1883. The Maharaja of Cochin; who ruled under the British; in 1896 initiated local administration by forming town councils in Mattancherry and Ernakulam. In 1925; Kochi legislative assembly was constituted due to public pressure on the state.

Towards the early 20th century; trade at the port had increased substantially; and the need to develop the port was greatly felt. Harbour engineer Robert Bristow was brought to Kochi in 1920 under the direction of Lord Willingdon; then the Governor of Madras. In a span of 21 years; he transformed Kochi into one of the safest harbours on the peninsula; where ships berthed alongside the newly reclaimed inner harbour equipped with a long array of steam cranes.