Kozhikode
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About the city
Arabian Sea on the west and mesmeric peaks of the Wayanad hills on the east, this district has all the required ingredients to fascinate a tourist.Once the capital of the powerful Zamorins and a prominent trade and commerce centre, Kozhikode was the most important town of Malabar in the days gone by. Today, lush green countrysides, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience make Kozhikode a popular destination.
Calicut is the anglicised form of Kalikut. The Arabic for the Malayalam, Kozhikode.. According to the historian, K.V Krishna Iyer, the term means koyil (Palace) Kodu (Fortified). Anyhow, it is a historical town with a hoary past. From time immemorial, the city attracted travellers, with its charming physical features and prosperity. Even today, the glory that was Calicut has not faded. The political history of Kozhikode is a story of treacherous and ill-conceived conspiracies hatched by the Western powers. Vasco Da Gama landed at Kappad in May 1498, as the leader of a trade mission from Portugal and was received by the Zamorin himself.
The history of Kozhikode district as an administrative unit begins from January 1957. When the states of the Indian Union were reorganized on linguistic basis on 1st November 1956, the erstwhile Malabar district was separated from Madras state (Tamil Nadu) and added to the new anilingual state of Kerala.
Kozhikode (Calicut)
Kozhikode (Calicut), the most important region of Malabar in yesteryears, was the capital of the powerful Zamorins and also a prominent trade and commerce center.Kozhikode District found a place in the World History with the discovery of Sea Route to India in 1498 by the Portuguese Navigator Vasco Da Gama. Vasco Da Gama landed at the Kappad sea shore with three vessels and 170 men. A monument is constucted here to commemorate the historical landing.
Kozhikode city continues to be a centre of flourishing domestic and international trade. Its contribution to all round development of the district in trade, commerce and economic development over the years is spectacular. Kozhikode city is the marketing centre for commodities like pepper coconut, coffee, rubber, lemon grass oil etc., produced in Kozhikode and the neighbouring districts of Wayanad, Malappuram and Kannur.
Basking in the idyllic setting of the serene Arabian Sea on the west and the proud peaks of the Wayanad hills on the east, this district with the serene beaches, lush green countryside, historic sites, all combine to make Kozhikode a popular tourist destination filled with a warm ambience to fascinate a visitor.
Names of Kozhikode
Kozhikode had a high order of cosmopolitanism and cultural variety and so, not surprisingly, it has many names such as Kalicut and Calicut. Some have even given it the peculiar name - The Cock Fort. It is said that the name Calicut is derived from the Malayalam word Koyil Kotta, 'a fortified place'. While others think Kalicut is an Arabic version of Kozhikode, which the colonisers morphed to Calicut, which in turn gave the name Calico to the hand-woven cloth that originated here.Location
Kozhikode or Calocut is situated in the south Indian state of Kerala on the southwest coast of the Arabian Sea. The district extends from latitude 110 15'N to 750 49' E. Basking in the idyllic setting of the serene Arabian Sea on the west and mesmeric peaks of the Wayanad hills on the east, this district has all the required ingredients to fascinate a tourist.Demography
Calicut has a population of about 436,547. Males constitute 49% of the population and females, 51%. Calicut has an average literacy rate of 84%, high than the national average of 59.5%. The male literacy is about 85%, and female literacy is approximately 82%. In Calicut, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.History
The early history of Calicut is not clear except a few rock-cut scripts found in some parts of the district. It is in the Sangam age that the district was ruled by the Cheras. This region became a major centre of trade between Kerala and the outside world. In the 13th century, Udaiyavar, the king of Ernad, conquered the area around Ponniankar and built a fort at a place called Velapuram, now know as Calicut. With the entry of Vasco da Gama in 1498, many Europeans came to this region. After many disputes over the control of Calicut continued till 1792, the East India Company went into an agreement with the local Zamori rulers to directly administer this area. The whole of Cochin was under the control of the British until the Independence in 1947. Calicut today is one of the most important centres of trade and business.Kozhicode, formerly called Calicut was the traditional capital of Northern Kerala under the Samuthiri ruler. Kozhicode, was the most important region of Malabar in the days gone by. Today, ancient monuments, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience make Kozhicode a much sought after destination.
Kozhikode is not just a harbour; it is one of its most charming cities in Kerala. Said to have been discovered by Arab princes, Kozhikode is made of all nature's delights blue seas, heritage homes, cascading waterfalls and ancient temples. Add to these quaint areas like Sweet Meat Street, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary and the famous Mananchira Square, which sports beautiful gardens and a musical fountain. Of course, today much of Kozhikode has changed new swanky shopping centres, multiplexes, concrete buildings and bakeries emanating fresh baked breads are everywhere. The harbour seldom has a yacht moored to it, and the only sign of old-world Kozhikode is one or two bobbing fishermen's boats. Yet, you must plan to spend at least 3 days here and enjoy the calm and lazy life. Wander through the galleries with Raja Ravi Verma's paintings, sample some tasty Kozhikodan Halwa and watch the artists of Beypore create tiny boats in glass bottles. Unexpected wonders await you.