Malabar Settlement overlap with what was once the La Chance estate (Verification required), which was founded by Gaston de Gannes de La Chancellerie in the 1840s. Until the early 1970s, southern Malabar was primarily populated by Malabars, descendants of indentured labourers from the Malabar region in Kerala, India. The southern part of the original settlement along Malabar Road was known locally as "India". Malabar is a heavily residential area, with small to medium - size businesses distributed along its main thoroughfares. These businesses are in the main shops, food vendors and small service establishments such as tyre shops, laundries etc. The late
HMS Malabar (1804) From November 1806 to January 1807 "Malabar" was in Woolwich being fitted as a 20-gun storeship. In November 1806 she was commissioned under Captain John Temple, and after fitting out sailed for the North Sea. At a court martial on board "Gladiator" at Portsmouth on 1 June 1807, Lieutenant Pennyman Stevenson of "Malabar" was found guilty of neglect of duty and dismissed from the Navy. "Malabar" sailed for the River Plate later that month. "Malabar" was commissioned in May 1808 under J. Henzell (Master). "Lloyd's List" reported on 10 May 1808 that the Portuguese brig "Legeiro" had arrived at Portsmouth.