Calicut
Kozhikode, formerly called Calicut was the traditional capital of N
orthern
Kerala under the Samuthiri rule. Calicut, the most important city of Malabar
region of Kerala, was a leading trading centre for spices on the West Coast
of India during the medieval period.
Vasco da Gama landed at Calicut (Kappad - 16 KM from the city) in 1498,
becoming the first European to reach India by the sea route around the southern
cape of Africa. A bustling city and commercial capital of Malabar, Calicut,
has an International Airport, University, Medical College and prestigious
Indian Institute of Management and National Institute of Technology to its
credit.
Calicut, is the most important coastal city of Malabar the north region
of state of Kerala. It was a leading trading centre for spices on the West
Coast of India during the medieval period. Ruled by the Zamorin dynasty,
Calicut found a place in World History with the discovery of sea route to
India in 1498 by the Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama.
He landed at Kappad a coastal fishing village and history was changed with
the political scanario of India ultimately ending with it's colonization
by the British. It remained under the Madras Presidency till the formation
of Kerala in 1956 after independence. During the Sangam age, the Calicut
District formed part of the Chera Empire.
It played a leading part in fostering trade relations between Kerala and
outside world. Tondi, the present Kadalundi as per scholars, was one of
the most flourishing seaports of Kerala that time.
Again nothing is known in the post-sangam age which is considered to be
the Dark Age in South India's history. In the 9th century, Calicut became
a part of the Second Chera Empire.
The Chera's also known as Perumals, ruled the territory till 1122 AD. With
the fall of Cheras, the kingdom was divided into many independent districts
called 'Nadus' such as Ernad and Polanad. Originally Calicut area was under
the Porlarthris, rulers of Poland. It became an important town in 13th century
with the conquest of Polanad by the King of Ernad.
The Udaiyavar of Ernad, whose headquarters was at Nediyiruppu wanted an
outlet to the sea and after fighting with the Polatthiri King for 48 long
years conquered the area around Ponniankara and build a fort at a place
called Velapuram. Thus the city of Calicut came into existence sometime
in the 13th Century AD.
With the accession of Calicut, the status of Nediyirippu
increased and he
come to known as Swami Nambiyathiri Thirumulpad, which gradually became
Samuri or Samuthiri over the years. The Europeans called him Zamorin. The
place surrounded by the fort was known as Koyil (palace) Kotta (fort) and
hence the name of the place became Kozhikode.
Foreigners called it by different names, for Arabs it was Kalikat, for Chinese
it was Kalifo while the city is known to outside world by its European name
- Calicut. Interestingly, the name Calicut is derived from 'calico,' the
fine variety of hand-woven cotton cloth said to have originated from this
place, which was then an important manufacture. Kozhikode passed to British
rule in 1792.
Calicut Tourism Reservation Form
