Kollam, called Quilon by the Europeans, was an ancient port on the west coast. It flourished as a trading centre even in prechristian centuries as can be surmised from the numismatic evidences left by ancient Phoenicians and Romans. The present Kollam district was notable for economic activity from time immemorial. Kollam is thus the timeless city of Kerala. Chinese traveller Ibn Batuta visited Kollam in the 14th century and he recorded that Kollam was one of the five important ports he visited during his travel of twenty four years. A prosperous Chinese trading community settlement flourished in Kollam till the advent of Europeans. Probably traders of ancient nations rubbed shoulders for trade on the shores of Kollam.