This book examines the origins of the Muslim society. Kerala had a long tradition of trade with Arabia from prehistoric times even before Islam originated there. Arabs acted as the conduit of Kerala�s spices to Europe and the Mediterranean world. They enjoyed a monopoly of the sea trade as local Hindus stayed away from the sea on religious grounds. Kerala�s kings always held them in good humour as the sole income of the state was custom duty on spices. Locals who were affiliated to the Arabs were naturally co-opted to Islam when their masters embraced the new faith in the seventh century. Muslim warriors helped the Zamorins of Calicut in his military expeditions against the neighbours.