95-444: Mananchira square is a man-made freshwater pond park situated in the centre of the city of Kozhikode (Calicut) in Kerala , southern India. The pond is 3.49 acres (14,120 m) in area, is rectangular in shape and is fed by a natural spring. It was donated by KunhiKoru Moopan, father of Kallingal Madathil Rarichan Moopan to the people of calicut for sports and leisure activity Mananchira
190-701: A "big bazaar." Other travellers who visited Kozhikode include the Italian Ludovico di Varthema (1503–1508) and Duarte Barbosa . Kozhikode and its suburbs formed part of the Polanad kingdom, which was a vassal state to the Kolathunadu of North Malabar , ruled by the Porlatiri . The Eradis of Nediyiruppu at Kondotty in Eranad ( Malappuram district ) wanted an outlet to the sea, to initiate trade and commerce with
285-514: A 3rd-century BCE rock inscription by emperor Ashoka of Magadha . It was mentioned as one of four independent kingdoms in southern India during Ashoka's time, the others being the Cholas , Pandyas and Satyaputras . The Cheras transformed Kerala into an international trade centre by establishing trade relations across the Arabian Sea with all major Mediterranean and Red Sea ports as well those of
380-528: A fine variety of hand-woven cotton cloth that was exported from the port of Kozhikode, is thought to have been derived from Calicut . The term for tricolour cats, called calico cats , is as well derived from the fabric name. The ancient port of Tyndis which was located on the northern side of Muziris , as mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea , was somewhere around Kozhikode. Its exact location
475-486: A main railway station, where all passing trains stops. There are other railway stations within the City limits. They are Elathur, West Hill, Vellayil and Kallai. Only local passenger trains stops in these stations. One can travel to almost all destinations within the country from Kozhikode. The history of railways in Kerala dates to 1861 when the first tracks were laid between Tirur and Beypore . Calicut International Airport
570-779: A metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second most populous metropolitan area in Kerala and the 19th largest in India. Kozhikode is classified as a Tier 2 city by the Government of India. It is the largest city in the region known as the Malabar Coast and was the capital of the British-era Malabar district . It was the capital of an independent kingdom ruled by the Samoothiris (Zamorins). The port at Kozhikode acted as
665-425: A multi-ethnic and multi-religious town since the early medieval period . The Hindus form the largest religious group, followed by Muslims and Christians . Hindus form the majority at 57.37% of the population with 315,807 members. Muslims form 37.66% of the population with 207298 members. The corporation of Kozhikode has an average literacy rate of 96.8% ( national average is 74.85%). The male literacy rate
760-421: A place called Velapuram to safeguard his new interests. The fort most likely lent its name to Koyil Kotta the precursor to Kozhikode. Thus the city came into existence sometime in the 13th century. The status of Udaiyavar increased and he became known as Swami Nambiyathiri Thirumulpad, and eventually Samuri or Samoothiri (Zamorin). Europeans called him in a corrupt form as Zamorin . At the peak of their reign,
855-658: A suburb of Kozhikode, it joins NH 66. It passes through major towns like Kondotty , Perinthalmanna , and Mannarkkad and Malappuram . This stretch connects the city and Calicut International Airport . SH 29 passes through the city. It connects NH 766, Malabar Christian College, civil station, Kunnamangalam , koduvally,Thamarassery,Chellot, Chitragiri and Road to Gudallor from Kerala border. State highway 38 starts from Pavangad near passes through Ulliyeri , Perambra , Kuttiady , Nadapuram , Panoor & Koothuparamba and ends at Chovva in Kannur . The highway is107;km long. It
950-512: Is South Malabar aka Kozhikode it's included present kozhikode and Thamarassery taluk , south wayanad it's included present kalpetta and sulthan battery places, Eranad Taluk which comes under present Malappuram District, Palakkad District and Chavakkad taluk of Thrissur district. During the British rule , the Malabar's chief importance laid in producing pepper , tiles , and Coconut. In
1045-475: Is 26 kilometres (16 mi) from the city . It began operations in 1988. Domestic services are operated to major Indian cities. It received the status of an international airport in 2006. Malabar Coast The Malabar Coast is the southwestern region of the Indian subcontinent . It generally refers to the western coastline of India stretching from Konkan to Kanyakumari . Geographically, it comprises one of
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#17328763197271140-452: Is 44.0 km long. This highway passes through Koyilandi , Ulliyeri , Balussery , Thamarassery , Omassery , Mukkam . Buses, predominantly run by individual owners, ply on the routes within the city and to nearby locations. City buses are painted green. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) runs regular services to many destinations in the state and to the neighboring states. The city has three bus stands. All private buses to
1235-515: Is 97.93% and female literacy rate is 95.78%. Pre-modern Kozhikode was already teeming with people of several communities and regional groups. Most of these communities continued to follow their traditional occupations and customs till the 20th century. Brahmins, too, lived in the city mostly around the Hindu temples. Regional groups like the Tamil Brahmins , Gujaratis and Marwari Jains became part of
1330-588: Is a matter of dispute. The suggested locations are Ponnani , Tanur , Beypore - Chaliyam - Kadalundi - Vallikkunnu , and Koyilandy . Tyndis was a major center of trade, second only to Muziris , between the Cheras and the Roman Empire . Pliny the Elder (1st century CE) states that the port of Tyndis was located at the northwestern border of Keprobotos ( Chera dynasty ). The North Malabar region, which lies north of
1425-422: Is a park in the centre of Kozhikode , Kerala state, southern India . The historic maithan , adjacent to Mananchira has been converted into an acadia with trees and plants, an artificial hill, shrubs, sculpture, an open-air theatre, and a musical fountain. Mananchira Square is named after the man-made lake Mananchira around which it is situated in the centre of the city. It is named after Mahadevan Samoothiri ,
1520-654: Is also the point of highest altitude in India outside the Himalayas , lies parallel to the Malabar Coast on the Western Ghats . The region parallel to the Malabar Coast gently slopes from the eastern highland of Western Ghats ranges to the western coastal lowland. The moisture-laden winds of the Southwest monsoon, on reaching the southernmost point of the Indian subcontinent , because of its topography, divide into two branches;
1615-475: Is also used by ecologists to refer to the Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests of southwestern India (present-day Kerala). Geographically, the Malabar Coast can be divided into three climatically distinct regions: the eastern highlands; rugged and cool mountainous terrain, the central mid-lands; rolling hills, and the western lowlands; coastal plains. The Western Ghats mountain range lie parallel to
1710-424: Is called Muthalakkulam. Muthalakkulam is traditional cloth drying ground used even now by the professionals in the laundry field. Touring Bookstall (TBS) Women's Hospital and Ahmadiyya Mosque are located here. Palayam Juma Masjid and the old Palayam bus station are also located here. Palayam junction boasts of the historic imperial building which was the first concrete building of Calicut city. Mananchira Square
1805-551: Is divided into six zones each under a circle officer. Apart from regular law and order, the city police comprise the traffic police, bomb squad, dog squad, fingerprint bureau, women's cell, juvenile wing, narcotics cell, riot force, armed reserve camps, district crime records bureau and a women's station. It operates 16 police stations functioning under the Home Ministry of Government of Kerala . National Highway 66 connects Kozhikode to Mumbai via Mangaluru , Udupi and Goa to
1900-450: Is often used to denote the entire southwestern coast of India. Additionally, European traders and scholars referred to Tamils of Sri Lanka as Malabars . In the 18th century, J. P. Fabricius described his Tamil-English Dictionary as the "Dictionary of Malabar and English". The term Malabar Coast , in historical contexts, refers to India's southwestern coast, which lies on the narrow coastal plain of Karnataka and Kerala between
1995-530: Is one of the busiest route in the district. SH 54 connects the city to Kalpetta . The highway is 99.0 kilometres (61.5 mi) long. The highway passes through Pavangad, Kozhikode , Ulliyeri, Perambra , Poozhithodu, Peruvannamuzhi and Padinjarethara. SH 68 starts from Kappad and ends in Adivaram. The highway is 68.11 kilometres (42.32 mi) long. SH 34 starts from Koyilandy and ends in Edavanna which
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#17328763197272090-578: Is over 845 km (525 mi) long and stretches from the coast of southwestern Maharashtra , along the region of Goa, through the entire western coast of Karnataka and Kerala, and up to Kanyakumari . It is flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. The southern part of this narrow coast is referred to as the South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests . Malabar
2185-630: Is settled mostly around the Jain temple in and around the Valliyangadi. They owned many establishments, especially textile and sweet shops. They must have arrived in Kozhikode at least from the beginning of the 14th century. They belong to either the Hindu or the Jain community. A few Marwari families are also found in Kozhikode who was basically moneylenders. Languages of Kozhikode city (2011) By language, 97.64% of
2280-413: Is the first City Corporation in Kerala after the creation of the state. Established in 1962, Kozhikode Corporation's first mayor was H Manjunatha Rao. Kozhikode corporation has four assembly constituencies – Kozhikode North, Kozhikode South, Beypore and Elathur – all of which are part of Kozhikode . The Kozhikode City Police is headed by a commissioner, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. The city
2375-510: Is the preferred one and is very busy. Another route, is Kozhikode- Manathavady - Kutta -Mysore-Bangalore. The third one, less used, is Kozhikode–Gundlupet– Chamarajanagar – Kollegal –Bangalore. Private tour operators maintain regular luxury bus services to Mumbai , Bangalore , Coimbatore , Chennai , Vellore , Ernakulam , Trivandrum , Ooty , Mysore . etc. and mainly operate from the Palayam area. These are usually night services. Kozhikode has
2470-693: The Battle of Thrissur in 1763. Despite fierce resistance, the Zamorin's troops retreated, leading to their eventual evacuation from Cochin Territory. In pursuit of peace, the Zamorin agreed to indemnify Travancore for war expenses and vowed perpetual friendship, marking a triumph of strategy and valor led by Pillai. After the Dutch were defeated by Travancore king Marthanda Varma , the British crown gained control over Kerala through
2565-657: The Dutch , French and the British East India companies took centre stage during the colonial wars in India. Travancore became the most dominant state in Kerala by defeating the powerful Zamorin of Kozhikode in the battle of Purakkad in 1755. Paliath Achan of Cochin and Travancore united to expel the Zamorin of Calicut from Kochi territories. Under Martanda Pillai's leadership, Travancore's Nair forces , with General de Lannoy's guidance, successfully captured Thrissur in
2660-681: The Edakkal Caves , in Wayanad date back to the Neolithic era around 6000 BCE. The Malabar Coast has been a major spice exporter since 3000 BCE, according to Sumerian records and it is still referred to as the "Garden of Spices" or as the "Spice Garden of India". Kerala 's spices attracted ancient Arabs , Babylonians , Assyrians and Egyptians to the Malabar Coast in the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE. Phoenicians established trade with Malabar during this period. Arabs and Phoenicians were
2755-588: The Fall of Calicut ). The English landed in 1615 (constructing a trading post in 1665), followed by the French (1698) and the Dutch (1752). In 1765, Mysore captured Kozhikode as part of its occupation of the Malabar Coast. Kozhikode, once a famous cotton-weaving centre, gave its name to the Calico cloth . It was ranked eleventh among Tier-II Indian cities in job creation by a study conducted by ASSOCHAM in 2007. Accounts of
2850-513: The Far East . The dominion of Cheras was located in one of the key routes of the ancient Indian Ocean trade . The early Cheras collapsed after repeated attacks from the neighboring Cholas and Rashtrakutas . During the early Middle Ages , Namboodiri Brahmin immigrants arrived in Kerala and shaped the society on the lines of the caste system . In the 8th century, Adi Shankara was born at Kalady in central Kerala. He travelled extensively across
2945-491: The Indian subcontinent founding institutions of the widely influential philosophy of Advaita Vedanta . The Cheras regained control over Kerala in the 9th century until the kingdom was dissolved in the 12th century, after which small autonomous chiefdoms, most notably the Kingdom of Kozhikode , arose. The 13th century Venetian explorer, Marco Polo , would visit and write of his stay in the province. The port at Kozhikode acted as
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3040-500: The Persian / Arabic word Barr (country/continent). The first element of the name is first attested in the Topography written by Cosmas Indicopleustes (6th century CE), which indicates that Arab sailors call Kerala Male already at that time. The Topography mentions a pepper emporium called Male , which clearly gave its name to Malabar ('the country of Male'). The second part of
3135-816: The Third Portuguese Armada and Kingdom of Cochin under João da Nova and Zamorin of Calicut 's navy marks the beginning of Portuguese conflicts in the Indian Ocean . The defeat of the joint fleet of the Sultan of Gujarat Mahmud Begada , the Mamlûk Burji Sultanate of Egypt , and the Zamorin of Calicut with support from the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Diu in February 1509 marks
3230-520: The Western Ghats range and the Arabian Sea . The coast runs from south of Goa to Kanyakumari on India's southern tip. India's southeastern coast is called the Coromandel Coast . In ancient times the term Malabar was used to denote the entire south-western coast of the Indian peninsula. The region formed part of the ancient kingdom of Chera until the early 12th century. Following the breakup of
3325-456: The samoothiris (Zamorins) in the Middle Ages and later of the erstwhile Malabar District under British rule. Arab merchants traded with the region as early as 7th century, and Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed at Kozhikode on 20 May 1498, thus opening a trade route between Europe and India. A Portuguese factory and the fort was intact in Kozhikode for short period (1511–1525, until
3420-459: The " Arabian Sea Branch" and the " Bay of Bengal Branch". The "Arabian Sea Branch" of the Southwest monsoon first hits the Western Ghats, making Kerala the first state in India to receive rain from the Southwest monsoon. The Malabar Coast is a source of biodiversity in India. According to William Logan , the word Malabar comes from a combination of the Dravidian word Mala (mountain) and
3515-488: The 15th century. A few Christians of Thiruvitankoor and Kochi have lately migrated to the hilly regions of the district and are settled there. The Tamil Brahmins are primarily settled around the Tali Siva temple. They arrived in Kozhikode as dependants of chieftains, working as cooks, cloth merchants and moneylenders. They have retained their Tamil language and dialects as well as caste rituals. The Gujarati community
3610-545: The 20 or 30 mosques built to cater to the religious needs of the Muslims, the unique system of calculation by the merchants using their fingers and toes (followed to this day) and the matrilineal system of succession. Abdur Razzak (1442–1443) the ambassador of Persian Emperor Sha-Rohk finds the city harbour perfectly secured and notices precious articles from several maritime countries especially from Abyssinia , Zirbad and Zanzibar . The Italian Niccolò de' Conti (1445), perhaps
3705-604: The Central Water Analysis Laboratory and Pondicherry Central University found that the pond was particularly bacteriologically contaminated during the monsoon season, and was highly alkaline afterwards. Mananchira Square , a park complex surrounding the lake was opened in 1994. Previously the Mananchira Square was known as Mananchira Maidanam (Playground) and was famous for football. Several football tournaments were conducted here. The Mananchira Maidanam
3800-519: The Chera Kingdom, the chieftains of the region proclaimed their independence. Notable among these were the Zamorins of Kozhikode , Kolathunadu , Perumbadappu Swaroopam , Venad , Kingdom of Valluvanad of Kingdom of Valluvanad . The name Malabar Coast is sometimes used as an all-encompassing term for the entire Indian coast from Konkan to the tip of the subcontinent at Kanyakumari. This coast
3895-502: The Elder mentioned that Limyrike was prone by pirates. The Cosmas Indicopleustes mentioned that the Limyrike was a source of Malabar peppers . In the last centuries BCE the coast became important to the Greeks and Romans for its spices, especially Malabar pepper. The Cheras had trading links with China , West Asia , Egypt , Greece , and the Roman Empire . In foreign-trade circles
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3990-638: The Haidari Fakeers of Rome do... The greater part of the Muslim merchants of this place are so wealthy that one of them can purchase the whole freightage of such vessels put here and fit out others like them". Ma Huan (1403), the Chinese sailor part of the Imperial Chinese fleet under Cheng Ho ( Zheng He ) lauds the city as a great emporium of trade frequented by merchants from around the world. He makes note of
4085-509: The Himalaya mountains. Malabar's western coastal belt is relatively flat compared to the eastern region, and is criss-crossed by a network of interconnected brackish canals, lakes, estuaries , and rivers known as the Kerala Backwaters . The Kuttanad region, also known as The Rice Bowl of Kerala , has the lowest altitude in India . The country's longest lake Vembanad , dominates
4180-583: The Malabar Coast including the western coastal lowlands and the plains of the midland may have been under the sea in ancient times. Marine fossils have been found in an area near Changanassery , thus supporting the hypothesis. Pre-historical archaeological findings include dolmens of the Neolithic era in the Marayur area of the Idukki district , which lie on the eastern highland made by Western Ghats . Rock engravings in
4275-455: The Muslims such as Dawoodi Bohras of Gujarati origin. Many of the Muslims living in the historic part of the city follow matrilineality and are noted for their piety. Though Christianity is believed to have been introduced in Kerala in the 1st century CE, the size of the community in Malabar (northern Kerala) began to rise only after the arrival of Portuguese missionaries towards the close of
4370-605: The Pattala Pally and the Mittayi Theruvu are located near the park. The town hall and art gallery are also adjacent to the park. A hangout of non-Malayali residents called the Crown Theatre is on the western side of the park. The park has 250 beautiful lamp posts, an artificial rivulet and an open-air theater. The public library near the park has a huge collection of Malayalam and English books. The northern side of Mananchira
4465-531: The Phoenicians. According to the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea , a region known as Limyrike began at Naura and Tyndis . However, the Ptolemy mentions only Tyndis as the Limyrike ' s starting point. The region probably ended at Kanyakumari ; it thus roughly corresponds to the present-day Malabar Coast. The value of Rome's annual trade with the region was estimated at 50,000,000 sesterces . Pliny
4560-482: The Western Malabar Coast, thus accessing the marine route through Arabian Sea . The first railway line of Kerala from Tirur to Beypore in 1861 was laid for it. With India's independence, Madras presidency became Madras State , which was divided along linguistic lines on 1 November 1956, whereupon Kasaragod region was merged with the Malabar immediately to the north and the state of Travancore-Cochin to
4655-638: The Zamorin expelled the Portuguese with the help of the Dutch East India Company . In 1602, the Zamorin sent messages to Aceh promising the Dutch a fort at Kozhikode if they would come and trade there. Two factors, Hans de Wolff and Lafer, were sent on an Asian ship from Aceh, but the two were captured by the chief of Tanur , and handed over to the Portuguese. A Dutch fleet under Admiral Steven van der Hagen arrived at Kozhikode in November 1604. It marked
4750-611: The Zamorins ruled over a region from Kollam ( Quilon ) to Panthalayini Kollam ( Koyilandy ). Following the discovery of the sea route from Europe to Kozhikode in 1498, the Portuguese began to expand their territories and ruled the seas between Ormus and the Malabar Coast and south to Ceylon . Kallingal Madathil Rarichan Moopan and Pullambil Moopan and Vamala Moopan families were very prominent among those who said that two centuries ago, some Jenmis in Kozhikode were engaged in sea trade and shipping . According to K.V. Krishna Iyer,
4845-427: The backwaters; it lies between Alappuzha and Kochi and is about 200 km (77 sq mi) in area. Around eight percent of India's waterways are found in Kerala. The term Malabar Coast is sometimes used as an all-encompassing term for the entire Indian coast from the western coast of Konkan to the tip of the subcontinent at Cape Comorin . It is over 525 miles or 845 kilometers long. It spans from
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#17328763197274940-513: The beginning of Portuguese dominance of the Spice trade and the Indian Ocean . The continuous wars between the Zamorin navy under the Kunjali Marakkar (Fleet Admiral) and the Portuguese in the 16th century reduced the importance of Kozhikode as a centre of trade. The Kunjali Marakkars are credited with organizing the first naval defense of the Indian coast. At the beginning of the 17th century
5035-422: The beginning of the Dutch presence in Kerala and they concluded a treaty with Kozhikode on 11 November 1604, which was also the first treaty that the Dutch East India Company made with an Indian ruler. By this time the kingdom and the port of Kozhikode was much reduced in importance. The treaty provided for a mutual alliance between the two to expel the Portuguese from Malabar. In return the Dutch East India Company
5130-403: The city and lived around their shrines. The Nairs formed the rulers, warriors and landed gentry of Kozhikode. The Thiyyar formed the vaidyars ( Ayurveda Physicians), local militia and traders of Kozhikode. The Samoothiri had a ten thousand strong Nair bodyguard called the Kozhikkottu pathinaayiram (The 10,000 of Kozhikode) who defended the capital and supported the administration within
5225-416: The city and the conditions prevailing then can be gleaned from the chronicles of travellers who visited the port city. Ibn Battuta (1342–1347), who visited six times, gives the earliest glimpses of life in the city. He describes Kozhikode as "one of the great ports of the district of Malabar" where "merchants of all parts of the world are found here". The king of this place, he says, "shaves his chin just as
5320-447: The city. He had a larger force of 30,000 Nairs in his capacity as the Prince of Eranadu, called the Kozhikkottu Muppatinaayiram (The 30,000 of Kozhikode). The Nairs also formed the members of the suicide squad ( chaver ). The Muslims of Kozhikode are known as Mappilas , and according to the official Kozhikode website "the great majority of them are Sunnis following the Shafi school of thought . There are some smaller communities among
5415-429: The coast on the eastern highland and separate the plains from the Deccan Plateau . These mountains recognised as one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity and is listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites . The peak of Anamudi in Kerala is the highest peak in India outside the Himalayas , is at an elevation of 2,695 m (8,842 ft). The chain's forests are considered to be older than
5510-421: The creation of the Malabar District in northern Kerala and by allying with the newly created princely state of Travancore in the southern part of the state until India was declared independent in 1947. The state of Kerala was created in 1956 from the former state of Travancore-Cochin , the Malabar district and the Kasaragod taluk of South Canara District of Madras state . After the Anglo-Mysore wars,
5605-405: The distant lands. and after fighting with the king Polatthiri for 48 years conquered the area around Panniankara . After this, Menokki became the ruler of Polanad and came to terms with the troops and people. After this, the town of Kozhikode was founded close to the palace at Tali. Then, the Eradis shifted their headquarters from Nediyiruppu to Kozhikode. The Governor of Ernad built a fort at
5700-413: The erstwhile ruler of the Kozhikode Kingdom, known as Mana-vedan Chira (pond) and later transformed to Mana-an-Chira. 100 years ago Valiyangadi and the beach area was the centre of Kozhikode city. In the 1970s the downtown shifted to Mananchira area and again, in the 1980s, Mavoor Road became the centre of attraction. In 2010s, Thondayad Bypass area and Palazhi on the Airport road has emerged as
5795-405: The first Christian traveller who noticed Kozhikode, describes the city as abounding in pepper, lac, ginger, a larger kind of cinnamon, myrobalans and zedoary. He calls it a noble emporium for all India, with a circumference of 13 kilometres (8 miles). The Russian traveller Athanasius Nikitin or Afanasy Nikitin (1468–1474) calls 'Calecut' a port for the whole Indian sea and describes it as having
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#17328763197275890-416: The first to enter the Malabar Coast to trade Spices . The Arabs on the coasts of Yemen , Oman , and the Persian Gulf , must have made the first long voyage to Malabar and other eastern countries . They must have brought the Cinnamon of Malabar to the Middle East . The Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BCE) records that in his time the cinnamon spice industry was monopolized by the Egyptians and
5985-441: The first week of June and continues until September. The city receives significant precipitation from the North-East Monsoon that sets in from the second half of October through November. This city has winter (December-February) hotter than summer (June-August), while spring (March-May) is the hottest season. The total population under Municipal Corporation limits is 550,440. Males form 47.7% and females 52.3%. Kozhikode has been
6080-429: The gateway to medieval South Indian coast for the Chinese , the Arabs , the Portuguese , the Dutch , and finally the British . In 1498, Vasco Da Gama established a sea route to Kozhikode during the Age of Discovery , which was also the first modern sea route from Europe to South Asia , and raised Portuguese settlements, which marked the beginning of the colonial era of India. European trading interests of
6175-415: The gateway to medieval South Indian coast for the Chinese , the Persians , the Arabs , and finally the Europeans. According to data compiled by economics research firm Indicus Analytics in 2009 on residences, earnings and investments, Kozhikode was ranked the second-best city in India to live in. In 2023, Kozhikode was recognised by UNESCO as India's first City of Literature . The exact origin of
6270-456: The medieval period, and have served as centers of the Indian Ocean trade for millennia. Because of their orientation to the sea and to maritime commerce, the Malabar coast cities feel very cosmopolitan , and have been home to some of the first groups of Jews (known today as Cochin Jews ), Syrian Christians (known as Saint Thomas Christians ), Muslims (presently known as Mappilas ), and Anglo-Indians in India. A substantial portion of
6365-401: The most dominant state in Kerala by defeating the Zamorin of Kozhikode in the battle of Purakkad in 1755. Kozhikode came under British Rule after the Mysorean conquest of Malabar in the late 18th century. The British later also formed a regiment called the Thiyyar Regiment to meet their military operations in Malabar . Kozhikode was the capital city of Malabar District , one of
6460-580: The name Kozhikode is uncertain. According to many sources, the name Kozhikode is derived from Koyil-kota (fort), meaning "fortified palace". Koil or Koyil or Kovil is the Malayalam / Tamil term for a Hindu temple , referring to the Tali Shiva Temple . Both the terms kōyil and kōvil are used interchangeably. The Tamil name of the city is Kaḷḷikkōṭṭai. The name also got corrupted into Kolikod , or its Arab version Qāliqūṭ ( IPA : qˠaːliqˠːuːtˤ) and later its anglicised version Calicut. Chinese merchants called it Kūlifo . The word calico ,
6555-405: The name is thought by scholars to be the Arabic word barr ('continent') or its Persian relative bar ('country'). Al-Biruni (AD 973 - 1048) is the first known writer to use the name Malabar . Authors such as Ibn Khordadbeh and Al-Baladhuri mention Malabar ports in their works. The Arab writers had called this place Malibar , Manibar , Mulibar , and Munibar . Malabar is reminiscent of
6650-441: The new city centre with a vibrant night life. Oyitti Road connects Mananchira with the railway station. Kozhikode Kozhikode ( pronounced [koːɻikːoːɖɨ̆] ), formerly known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is listed among the UNESCO's Cities of Literature . It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and
6745-454: The north and Kochi and Kanyakumari near Thiruvananthapuram to the south along the west coast of India. This highway connects the city with the other important towns like, Kasaragod , Kanhangad , Kannur , Thalassery , Mahe , Vadakara , Koyilandy Ramanattukara , Kottakkal , Valanchery , Kuttippuram , Ponnani , Kodungallur , North Paravur , Ernakulam , Edapally and proceeds to Alappuzha , Thiruvananthapuram and terminates at
6840-578: The old administrative records of the Madras Presidency , it is recorded that the most remarkable plantation owned by Government in the erstwhile Madras Presidency was the Teak plantation at Nilambur planted in 1844. The District of Malabar and the ports at Beypore and Fort Kochi had some sort of importance in the erstwhile Madras Presidency as it was one of the two districts of the Presidency that lies on
6935-498: The parts of the Malabar Coast, those became British colonies, were organized into a district of British India . The British district included the present-day districts of Kannur , Kozhikode , Wayanad , Malappuram , much of Palakkad (Excluding Chittur taluk), some parts of Thrissur ( Chavakkad Taluk), and the Fort Kochi region of Ernakulam district , besides the isolated islands of Lakshadweep . The administrative headquarters
7030-628: The patronage of Ptolemy VIII , king of the Hellenistic Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. Roman establishments in the port cities of the region, such as a temple of Augustus and barracks for garrisoned Roman soldiers, are marked in the Tabula Peutingeriana , the only surviving map of the Roman cursus publicus . The term Kerala was first epigraphically recorded as Ketalaputo ( Cheras ) in
7125-511: The population speaks Malayalam and 0.91% Tamil as their first language. The city is administered by the Kozhikode Corporation, headed by a mayor. For administrative purposes, the city is divided into 75 wards , from which the members of the corporation council are elected for five years. Recently neighbouring suburbs Beypore , Elathur , Cheruvannur and Nallalam were merged within the municipal corporation. Kozhikode Corporation
7220-431: The port at Tyndis , was ruled by the kingdom of Ezhimala during Sangam period . According to the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea , a region known as Limyrike began at Naura and Tyndis . However Ptolemy mentions only Tyndis as Limyrike ' s starting point. The region probably ended at Kanyakumari ; it thus roughly corresponds to the present-day Malabar Coast . The value of Rome's annual trade with
7315-457: The region was estimated at around 50,000,000 sesterces . Pliny the Elder mentioned that Limyrike was prone by pirates. The Cosmas Indicopleustes mentioned that the Limyrike was a source of peppers. In the 14th century, Kozhikode conquered larger parts of central Kerala after the seize of Tirunavaya region from Valluvanad , which were under the control of the king of Perumbadappu Swaroopam (Cochin). The ruler of Perumpadappu
7410-419: The region was known as Male or Malabar . Muziris , Tyndis , Naura (near Kannur ), and Nelcynda were among the principal ports at that time. Contemporary Sangam literature describes Roman ships coming to Muziris in Kerala, laden with gold to exchange for Malabar pepper . One of the earliest western traders to use the monsoon winds to reach Kerala was Eudoxus of Cyzicus , around 118 or 166 BCE, under
7505-476: The rise of Kozhikode is at once a cause and a consequence of Zamorin's ascendancy in Kerala. By the end of the 15th century, the Zamorin was at the zenith of his powers with all princes and chieftains of Kerala north of Kochi acknowledging his suzerainty. The Sweetmeat Street ( Mittayi Theruvu ) was an important trading street under Zamorin's rule. The First Battle of Cannanore that occurred in January 1502 between
7600-448: The south-western coast of Maharashtra and goes along the coastal region of Goa , through the entire western coast of Karnataka and Kerala and reaches till Kanyakumari . It is flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. The Southern part of this narrow coast is the South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests . Climate-wise, the Malabar Coast, especially on its westward-facing mountain slopes, comprises
7695-467: The southern tip of India, Kanyakumari . National Highway 766 connects Kozhikode to Bangalore through Kollegal in Karnataka via Tirumakudal Narsipur , Mysore , Nanjangud , Gundlupet , Sulthan Bathery , Kalpetta and Thamarassery . National Highway 966 connects Kozhikode to Palakkad through Malappuram , Perinthalmanna . It covers a distance of 125 kilometres (78 mi). At Ramanattukara,
7790-466: The state. Kozhikode Municipality was upgraded into Kozhikode Municipal Corporation in the year 1962, making it the second-oldest Municipal Corporation in the state. Kozhikode has a tropical monsoon climate ( Köppen climate classification Am ). A brief spell of pre-monsoon Mango showers hits the city sometime during April. However, the primary source of rain is the South-west monsoon that sets in
7885-778: The suburban and nearby towns ply from the Palayam Bus Stand. Private buses to adjoining districts start from the Mofussil Bus Stand on Indira Gandhi Road (Mavoor Road). Buses operated by the KSRTC drive from the KSRTC bus stand on Indira Gandhi Road. KSRTC Bus Stand Kozhikode is the largest bus stand in Kerala having a size of 36,036.47 meter square. There are also KSRTC depots in Thamarassery , Thottilpalam , Thiruvambady and Vatakara . There are three routes available to Bangalore. Kozhikode– Sulthan Bathery - Gundlupet – Mysore – Bangalore
7980-406: The superior economic and political position in medieval Kerala coast, while Kannur, Kollam , and Kochi , were commercially important secondary ports, where the traders from various parts of the world would gather. In the 15th century, Kozhikode was visited several times by ships from China, which became known as Ming treasure voyages . Kozhikode was the capital of an independent kingdom ruled by
8075-634: The two districts on the western coast ( Malabar Coast ) of Madras presidency . During the British rule , Malabar's chief importance lay in producing pepper , coconut , tiles , and teak . Kozhikode municipality was formed on 1 November 1866 according to the Madras Act 10 of 1865 (Amendment of the Improvements in Towns act 1850) of the British Indian Empire , making it the first modern municipality in
8170-594: The wettest region of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden Southwest monsoon rains. The Malabar rainforests include these ecoregions recognized by biogeographers : The Monsooned Malabar coffee bean comes from this area. The Malabar Coast featured (and in some instances still does) several historic port cities. Notable among these were/are Naura , Vizhinjam , Muziris , Nelcynda , Beypore and Thundi (near Ponnani or Kadalundi ) during ancient times, and Kozhikode (Calicut), Kollam , Ponnani , Kannur (Cannanore), and Cochin in
8265-460: The wettest regions of the subcontinent, which includes the Kanara region of Karnataka , all of Kerala and Kanyakumari region of Tamil Nadu . Kuttanad , which is the point of the lowest altitude in India , lies on the Malabar Coast. Kuttanad, also known as The Rice Bowl of Kerala , is among the few places in the world where cultivation takes place below sea level. The peak of Anamudi , which
8360-450: The word Malanad which means the land of mountains . Until the arrival of the British , the term Malabar was used in foreign trade circles as a general name for Kerala . Earlier, the term Malabar had also been used to denote Tulu Nadu and Kanyakumari , which lie contiguous to Kerala in the southwestern coast of India, in addition to the modern state of Kerala. The people of Malabar were known as Malabars . The term Malabar
8455-553: Was also famous for the religious activity called Mananchira Ayyappan Vilakku. The Mananchira Maidanam was transformed and named as Mananchira Square up on the leadership of then Kozhikode District Collector Mr Amitabh Kant, who was the administrator, by closing two roads in the vicinity. The place for conducting the Mananchira Ayyappan Vilakku (a religious function held every December) was shifted to Muthalakulam Maidanam (A ground near by to Mananchira Square / Maidanam, which
8550-620: Was at Kozhikode . Malabar District , a part of the ancient Malabar (or Malabar Coast) was a part of the British East India Company -controlled state. It included the northern half of the state of Kerala and the islands of Lakshadweep . Kozhikode is considered as the capital of Malabar. The area was divided into two categories as North and South. North Malabar comprises present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad District and Vatakara and Koyilandy Taluks of Kozhikode District. The left-over area
8645-469: Was built as a bathing pool by the Zamorin Mana Vikrama, the feudal ruler of Kozhikode in around the 14th century. at the time of Tippu sultan Mysore ruler he made this as drinking water source as a gift For Sayed Jifri. The laterite obtained from excavating the pond was used to construct two palaces to the east and west. In the late 19th century, Calicut's municipal council decreed that the pond
8740-400: Was developed after filling a pond named Muthalakkulam). The officials also kept a rule that Mananchira Square will not be used for any cultural or religious purpose, whereas nowadays its widely used for cultural purposes. There are many beautiful statues of Dhoti-clad Malayalam writers inside the park. The park opens after two pm and entrance is free. Other places of tourist attraction like
8835-525: Was forced to shift his capital (c. CE 1405) further south from Kodungallur to Kochi . In the 15th century, the status of Cochin was reduced to a vassal state of Kozhikode, thus leading to the emergence of Kozhikode as the most powerful kingdom in medieval Malabar Coast . During the 15th century Kalaripayat was important in the history of Malabar , some warriors lived, most notably puthooram veettil Aromal Chekavar and his sister Unniyarcha who were chieftains of martial arts. The port at Kozhikode held
8930-461: Was given facilities for trade at Kozhikode and Ponnani , including spacious storehouses. The arrival of British in Kerala documented in the year 1615, when a group under the leadership of Captain William Keeling arrived at Kozhikode, using three ships. It was in these ships that Sir Thomas Roe went to visit Jahangir , the fourth Mughal emperor , as British envoy . Travancore became
9025-407: Was to be reserved exclusively for drinking purposes, and prohibited its use for bathing, washing and recreational activities—a ruling that has remained in place ever since. The pond is an important source of drinking water for Kozhikode, but is susceptible to pollution from municipal sewage, domestic waste, and pollutants from nearby textile factories. An analysis of the water in 2000 by scientists from
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