English: Stone bridge, Alleppey Photograph taken about 1900 by the Government photographer, Zacharias D'Cruz of the stone bridge in the town of Alleppey, in the erstwhile Travancore. . The town owes its origin to Raja Kesava Das, the illustrious Dewan in the latter part of the 18th century. Often called the 'Venice of Travancore', it is almost surrounded by sea and backwaters and the many canals that intersect the town, carrying 'vallams' or country-craft laden with merchandise. The port was opened in 1762, when Kesava Das built three ships for trade with Calcutta and Bombay, and was chosen