| Kozhikode കോഴിക്കോട് Calicut |
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| Coordinates | 11°15′N 75°46′E / 11.25°N 75.77°E |
| Country |  India |
| State | Kerala |
| District(s) | Kozhikode |
| Mayor | M. Bhaskaran |
| Collector | P. B. Salim |
| Population • Density |
436556 (2001) • 5,280 /km2 (13,675 /sq mi) |
| Sex ratio | 1.061 ♂/♀ |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
82.68 km2 (32 sq mi) • 1 m (3 ft) |
| Website | www.kozhikodecorporation.org/ |
Kozhikode (Malayalam:കോഴിക്കോട്, pronounced [koːɻikːoːɖ](
listen)), also known as Calicut, is a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is the third largest city in Kerala and the headquarters of Kozhikode district. During the Middle Ages, Calicut was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices.[1] Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom, and later of the erstwhile Malabar District.
Kozhikode has a population of 436,556 as per 2001 census, with an extended metropolitan population of about 0.9 million, making it the third largest urban agglomeration and the third largest city in Kerala. According to data compiled by economics research firm Indicus Analytics on residences, earnings and investments, Kozhikode ranked as the second best city in India to reside in. Indicus considered six parameters – health, education, environment, safety, public facilities and entertainment – for preparing their 'reside-in' index of liveability.[2]
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The name Kozhikode is thought to be derived from koyil (palace) kotta (fort). Calicut is the anglicized version of Kozhikode. Foreigners have called it by different names: for the Arabs it was Kalikat, for the Chinese it was Kalifo. It is known to the outside world by its anglicized name. However, Malayalis have always preferred to call it Kozhikode.
The ports of the Malabar Coast have participated in the Indian Ocean trade in spices, silk, and other goods for over two millennia. There are documented visits, as early as the 14th century, by Chinese travellers such as Zheng He.[3]
During the Sangam period, Kozhikode formed part of the Chera Empire. It played an important role in fostering trade relations between Kerala and the outside world. Tondi, present day Kadalundi, as per scholars, was a flourishing seaport of Kerala at that time. Very little is known about Calicut's history in the post-Sangam age (which is considered to be a Dark Age in South India's history). During the 9th century, Kozhikode became a part of the Second Chera Empire. The Cheras (also known as Perumals) ruled the territory until 1122 CE. After the fall of the Cheras, the Chera kingdom in Kerala was divided into many independent districts called "Nadus", such as Eranad (land of the Eradis) and Polanad. The Porlarthris, rulers of Polanad, controlled the area to be later called as kozhikode. After the invasion of Malik Kafur, a General of Alauddin Khilji the Sulthan of Delhi in 1310, all the Tamil dynasties such as Chera dynasty which followed Patriarchy came to an end. Samantha Kshatriya and Nair dynasties who practiced Matriarchy and Naga worship came into existence thereafter. Eranad was one among them, ruled by Eradis.[4]
During the 13th century CE, the Udaiyavar of Ernad, whose headquarters was at Nediyiruppu wanted an outlet to the sea.[5] After going to war with the Polatthiri King, the Eradis conquered the area around Ponniankara (Panniyankara) and build a fort at a place called Velapuram. Thus, the city of Kozhikode came into existence sometime in the 13th century CE. With the conquest of Kozhikode, the status of the Udaiyavar increased and he came to be known as Swami Nambiyathiri Thirumulpad. This title gradually shortened to Samoothirippadu or Saamoothiri or Samuri over the years. The Europeans called him Zamorin.
In 1498 Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed at Kappad, about 15 km from Calicut city. This was a major event in the era of European exploration because the discovery of the sea route from Europe to India gave the Portuguese a significant advantage in the control of international trade. Portuguese control of the sea route lasted for almost a century.
It was during the 16th century that the Portuguese set up trading posts to the north in Kannur and to the south in Kochi. The Zamorin, however, resisted the establishment of a permanent Portuguese presence in the city. In 1509, the kingdom was forced to accept a Portuguese trading post at Chaliyar.[citation needed]
In 1604 the Samoothirippadu allied with Steven van der Hagen, representing the Dutch East India Company and by the mid-17th century the Dutch had captured the Malabar Coast spice trade from the Portuguese.
In 1766 Hyder Ali of Mysore captured Kozhikode and much of the northern Malabar Coast. This bought him into conflict with the British based in Madras, which resulted in four Anglo-Mysore Wars. Kozhikode and the surrounding districts were among the territories ceded to the British by Tipu Sultan of Mysore at the conclusion of the Third Anglo-Mysore War in 1792. The newly acquired possessions on the Malabar Coast were organized into the Malabar District of Madras Presidency, and Calicut became the district capital.
After Indian Independence in 1947, Madras Presidency became the Madras State. In 1956 when the Indian states were reorganized along linguistic lines, Malabar District was combined with the state of Travancore-Cochin to form the new state of Kerala on 1 November 1956. Malabar District was split into the districts of Kannur, Kozhikode, and Palakkad on 1 January 1957.
Kozhikode is located at 11°15′N 75°46′E / 11.25°N 75.77°E.[6] It has an average elevation of 1 metre (3 feet). There are a number of rivers and lakes in the district. Chaliyar puzha, Kallayi Puzha, Korapuzha, Poonoor puzha, and Iravanjhi puzha are some among them.
The district has a generally humid climate with a very hot season extending from March to May. The main rainy season is during the South-West Monsoon, which sets in the first week of June and extends up to September. The North-East Monsoon extends from the second half of October through November. The average annual rainfall is 3,266 mm. The best weather is found towards the end of the year, in December and January –the skies are clear, and the air is crisp. The highest temperature recorded was 39.4 °C in March 1975. The lowest was 14 °C recorded on 26 December 1975.
The city is administered by the Kozhikode Corporation, headed by a mayor, and with its headquarters in Kozhikode.
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Kozhikode City officials
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Kozhikode has two assembly constituencies: Kozhikode North and Kozhikode South, both of which are part of Kozhikode (Lok Sabha constituency).[7]
Calicut is one of the main commercial cities of Kerala.The economy is mainly business oriented.
A large proportion of the male population are employed in the Middle Eastern countries, and their remittances home are an important part of the local economy.
Calicut has witnessed a building boom in recent years. This is particularly evident in the number of malls built in recent years. Other planned projects include the Birla IT park (at Mavoor),Cyber park and Malaysian satellite city (at Kinaloor).KINFRA has plans to set up a 400 acre industrial park.
As of 2001 India census,[8] Kozhikode had a population of 436,530. Sex ratio : Females/1000 - 1,057. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kozhikode has an average literacy rate of 92.24%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 96.11% and female literacy is 88.62%. In Kozhikode, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Kozhikode has been a multiethnic and multi-religious town since the early medieval period, as it was an important trading port in the Indian ocean. Hindus form the largest community, followed by Muslims and Christians respectively.[9]
The Hindu community worship all the major Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu pantheon as well as several minor deities. Vishnu and Shiva are the major Gods worshipped. The temples, like the others in Kerala, are in many respects different from those of the East Coast. Elaborate rules prescribed by the Sastras are followed in their construction. The Kavu dedicated to the Bhadrakali is a typical example. They have their own oracles called Velichappad. There are also temples devoted to such deities as Ayyappan, Hanuman, and Garuda. Serpent worship has been widely prevalent here. Ancestor worship is also practised by the Hindus.[9]
The Muslims of Kozhikode are known as Mappilas, the great majority of whom are Sunnis following the Shafi school of thought.[9] There are also some smaller communities among the Muslims such as Dawoodi Bohras.[10] Many of the Muslims living in the historic part of the city follow matriliny. They are noted for their piety.[11] In fact, Mappila is a Dravidian word, meaning a newly-wed husband coming to his wife's house. The argument is that the infant Muslim community in Malabar adopted it as a convenient arrangement that they were familiar with, owing to the increasing number of marriages between West Asian traders who visited the area for business and Malabar women belonging to trading families.[12]
Though Christianity is believed to have been introduced in Kerala in 52 CE, not much progress was made by the Christians of this district before the advent of the Portuguese towards the close of the 15th century. Christians of Travancore and Cochin have migrated to the hilly regions of the district and have settled there.[11]
The beach at Kozhikode is not yet overdeveloped. It remains a popular retreat for local people. There are two sea piers, almost 125 years old extending well into the sea. There are some nearby parks like the Lions club, and children’s park. It is possible to watch fishermen with their small rowing boats entering the sea, fighting the waves and returning with their daily catch of fish.
Mananchira is at the heart of the city and many institutions like the Town Hall and the Public Library are situated around it. One of Kozhikode's oldest institutions, the Commonwealth Trust's office, is located here. The large pond and park are well-known landmarks. Once the main courtyard of the Zamorin Rulers palace, Mananchira Square has been developed into a beautiful park. Temples, mosques and churches surround the square along with numerous traditional Kerala houses and a large water reservoir.
Mananchira Square was formed by joining Tagore park, Ansari park and the large maidanam (grounds). The maidanam has a green carpet lawn and the whole complex is circled by a laterite (a kind of stone) sculpted wall. The entire complex is circled by 250 lamp posts that are designed in the colonial style. Mananchira Square also has an artificial stream, a musical fountain, an open-air theatre and a music stage.
SM Street is a buzzling shopping and commercial center at the heart of Kozhikode. The name of this historic street is an acronym for Sweet Meat Street, a name given by European traders because of shops selling Kozhikodan halwa which they called as Sweet Meat.[13]
On 27 May 1498, Vasco Da Gama landed in Kappad Beach (also known as Kappakkadavu) with three vessels and 170 men. Sixteen km north of Kozhikode by Kannur road, a small road from Tiruvangoor leads to this beach of historical importance. A monument is here to commemorate the historical landing. An ancient temple on a hillock, facing the deep sea, is an added attraction.
Beypore is a port city situated 10 km south of Calicut at the mouth of Chaliyar river. Beypore is famous for its ancient shipbuilding industry, which constructed uru, the traditional trading vessels of Arabs. The place was formerly known as Vaypura and Vadaparappanad. Tippu Sultan named the town “Sultan Pattanam”. It is one of the important ports of Kerala and naturally, an important trading centre. It is a major fishing harbour of Kerala. There are two man-made extensions to the sea to facilitate easy access for fishing boats. The 2 km breakwater made of stone is another attraction.
In the field of Malayalam language and literature, Kozhikode has made many significant contributions. The district is famous for folk songs or ballads known as Vadakkan Pattukal. The most popular songs among them are those which celebrate the exploits of Thacholi Othenan and Unniyarcha. One of the favourite past times of the Muslims of the district is singing Mappila pattu and Oppana. The songs are composed in a composite language of Arabic and Malayalam. The famous intellectual debate for Vedic scholars to win the coveted position of Pattathanam takes place at Thali temple during the month of Thulam. Kozhikode also has strong associations with ghazals and football.
The city has a strong mercantile streak to it. The main area of business was once 'Valiyangadi' (Big Bazaar) near the railway station. As time progressed, it shifted to other parts of the city. These days, the commercial heart has moved to Mittai Theruvu (Sweet Meat Street), a long street crammed with shops that sell everything from saris to cosmetics. It also houses restaurants and sweetmeat shops. The name Mittai Theruvu or S.M. Street comes from the famous Kozhikode Halwa which was often called Sweet Meat.[14] The multicultural mix of Kozhikode ensures that Onam, Christmas and Id-ul-Fitr (the festivals of the Hindus, Christians, and Muslims respectively) are celebrated with equal pomp.
Kozhikode offers fare to suit every palate. Vegetarian fare includes the sadya. The non-vegetarian food offered in the city is a unique mix of Muslim and Hindu preparations. Some popular dishes include the Biriyani, ghee rice with meat curry, seafood (prawns, mussels, mackerel) and paper-thin Pathiris to provide accompaniment to spicy gravy. Another well-known Kozhikode specialty is banana chips, which are made crisp and wafer-thin. The 'Kozhikode Halwa' is very popular, even overseas.
film industry
Mamukoya and Kuthiravattam Pappu have made a great impact in the malayalam film industry , these actors showed that calicut is not only the place of writers and food but also of great actors. Gireesh Puthancheri who passed away recently was also from calicut , he was one of the best lyricist in the malayalam industry.
Newspapers
Kozhikode occupies a prominent place in the history of Malayalam journalism. The origin of journalism in this district can be traced back to 1880. The Kerala Pathrika is likely to be the earliest newspaper published from Kozhikode. Keralam, Kerala Sanchari and Bharath Vilasam are among the other newspapers that were published from Kozhikode before 1893. Kozhikode is also the birthplace of the top Malayalam dailies Mathrubhumi and Madhyamam.
Writers
Many prominent writers of Malayalam literature are from this city. Among them are M. T. Vasudevan Nair, S. K. Pottekkatt, and Thikkodiyan. other noted writers who made kozhikode their second home include Sukumar Azhikode, N P Muhammed and Uroob. another noted Malayalam writerVaikom muhammed basheer stayed at Beypore in the outskirts of this city for long and he is affectionatly known as Beypore Sultan.
Radio
The Kozhikode station of All India Radio was commissioned on 14 May 1950. It has two transmitters, Kozhikode AM of 100 kilowatt power and Kozhikode FM (Vividh Bharathi) of 10 kilowatt power. A television transmitter has been functioning in Kozhikode from 3 July 1984, relaying programmes from Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram Doordarshan.
Private FM radio stations:91.9 Radio Mango (Malayala Manorama Co. Ltd.),93.5 S Fm (SUN Network)
Air FM Radio Stations:Kozhikode - 103.6,
Air AM/MW Radio Stations:Kozhikode - 684
Television
Asianet Cable Vision popularly known as ACV telecasts daily city news. ACV News shows happenings in the Kozhikode City.
Kozhikode is home to two of the premier educational institutions in the country; the IIMK, one of the seven Indian Institutes of Management, and the only National Institute of Technology in Kerala, the NITC.
Some of the other major institutes in Kozhikode are Calicut Medical College, Calicut University Institute of Engineering and Technology (CUIET), Government Engineering College (GEC), Malabar Christian College, Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College, St. Joseph's College, Devagiri, Farook College, Government Arts and Science College, Providence Women's College, Government Homeopathic Medical College, Government Law College, Government College of Teacher Education, Kerala School of Mathematics,CEDTI.
There are a few research institutes located in or around the city. These include the Indian Institute of Spices Research, the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, Western Ghats Field Research Station (Zoological Survey of India) and the Regional Filaria Training and Research Centre (a centre of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases).
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Kozhikode [1], formerly Calicut, is one of the major cities in Kerala, India.
Kozhikode was the capital of Malabar during the time of Zamorins who where ruling before the British Rule in India. It was trading in spices like black pepper and cardamom with the outside world with the Jews, Arabs, Phoenicians, Chinese from centuries and with the Dutch and Portuguese more than 500 years ago. Portuguese were the first foreigners to find this land, the gateway to Kerala, famous for spices. This city is famous for receiving Vasco da Gama in 1498. He landed on the remote beach of Kappad which is 18 km away from the Calicut City.
The English word calico, a cotton textile, originated from this city's name "Calicut".
Kozhikode to Chennai
You can also reach Kozhikode from other cities like Kochi (Cochin), Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Coimbatore, Chennai, Mangalore, Bangalore, Bombay, New Delhi, Kolkata by train.
There are four direct trains between Calicut (Kozhikode) and Madras (Chennai), each taking about twelve to eighteen hours for one-way travel.
Kozhikode to Mumbai
There are a handful of direct trains connecting Bombay (Mumbai) with Calicut (Kozhikode) via the picturesque Konkan Railway route. Typically, these trains take about 24 hours to cover around 1200 kilometres between Bombay (Mumbai) and Calicut (Kozhikode).
Other
There are plenty of trains between Calicut (Kozhikode) and Cochin (Kochi) and Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). Keep in mind that unless you reserve your seats, you may end up traveling in unreserved compartments and it can be a tiring experience because these trains can get very crowded.
There are bus services operating from cities like Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore to Kozhikode.
Kozhikode is well connected to other cities Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore by road. It is actually a pleasure to drive from Bangalore to Calicut through Gundulpet and Sulthan Battery. But be cautioned that the small stretch of jungle you have to pass through may have wild elephants and moving in late hours along in small vehicle is not advised.
April 2008: The Bangalore-Mysore-Gundulpet-Sultan Battery-Kalpetta-Kozhikode route is fantastic. I took this 'alternative' route to travel to Thrissur from Bangalore since I wanted to avoid the Salem route (which I hear is in a very poor state). The entire Bangalore-Kozhikode-Thrissur route is fantastic and I plan to continue to use this route going forward, till the Salem stretch gets better.
Many places of attractions are near by one another so you could walk between them.
Kozhikode has an excellent local bus service system and it is cheap. Your first choice should be travelling by Bus. Be aware that the busses can travel at neck-breaking speeds, but they are fairly safe.
This is cheap way of transport between attractions. Autos in Calicut are the most trust worthy of any in India. They have the best reputation of being truthful and being straight forward in their dealings similar to the ones in Bombay (Mumbai) and Pune.
Local taxis are also available at good rates. Normally, Taxis are not needed unless you plan to go way out of the city. If you want to move around in City, Autos and Buses are good enough. Taxis usually charge a flat charge and do not operate on meter.
There are many rental companies offering cars with drivers or self drive.
Water pipe enthusiasts should look out for the Koyilandy Hookah, made in the nearby town of Koyilandy. Preparation of an average hookah requires up to 1.5 kg of copper, 1.5 kg of zinc and half kg silver. It takes a week to prepare a Hookah.Available in different sizes (12 to 24 inches), these Hookah are sold anywhere around rupees 500 to 1500. Specially crafted Hookah come at rupees 15,000.
One way to to procure one of these, you could contact the Kozhikode District Handicrafts Artisans Co-op society. They have several pieces ready and can polish it and give it to you within an hour. These range from Rs. 1200 to Rs. 2500 depending on the size. They can also ship it to you in India (not sure if they ship to places outside India). Their contact number is 0496 2623151.
Malabar cuisine is quite popular among gourmands. The midly flavored, gently cooked Malabar Biriyanis are a must eat when visiting Calicut. The mutton is cooked tender, the rice flaky and delicately spiced with the right portions of condiments, to leave the taste lingering for long.
The side-dishes include `alisa'( husked wheat cooked with chicken) `muttamala' or `egg garland'(yolk of egg cooked in thin strings in sugar syrup, with the white cooked as a pudding ornamenting the centre).
In seafood, mussels are a favorite. A concoction of mussel and rice flour, cooked in the shell is called arikadaka. The Arab influence on the local cuisine is very visible in the rich meat curries and desserts.
As a sweet, you should not miss the Calicut Halwa. Different varieties are available in almost all bakeries in the city.
Kozhikodan banana chips are world famous. There are so many bakeries in and around calicut from where you can buy this.
You should also visit the Zains Hotel, near the beach at Kozhikode to have yummy food. If you miss it, that will be a great loss. People from Bangalore flee to Calicut just to have a meal from Zains. They drive for 8 hours to reach Calicut so that they can have the delicious food.
You can visit the Beach Hotel to have a drink. The ambiance is good.
, P.T.Usha Road , Tel : +91 495 6613000 email : gateway.calicut@tajhotels.com [8]
(Formerly Known as TAJ RESIDENCY, Calicut)
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Wayanad District, famous for scenic locations is nearby with District Headquarters Kalpetta 68 km away and Sulthan Bathery 90 km away. Palakkad, which has a number of tourist attractions like the Malampuzha gardens, is 140 km away by road.
Category: Outline articles
CALICUT, a city of British India, in the Malabar district of Madras; on the coast, 6 m. N. of Beypur. In 1901 the population was 76,981, showing an increase of 14% in the decade. The weaving of cotton, for which the place was at one time so famous that its name became identified with its calico, is no longer of any importance. Calicut is of considerable antiquity; and about the 7th century it had its population largely increased by the immigration of the Moplahs, a fanatical race of Mahommedans from Arabia, who entered enthusiastically into commercial life. The Portuguese traveller Pero de Covilham visited Calicut in 14,87 and described its possibilities for European trade; and in May 1498 Vasco da Gama, the first European navigator to reach India, arrived at Calicut. At that time it was a very flourishing city, and contained several stately buildings, among which was especially mentioned a Brahminical temple, not inferior to the largest monastery in Portugal. Vasco da Gama tried to establish a factory, but he met with persistent hostility from the local chief (zamorin), and a similar attempt made by Cabral two years later ended in the destruction of the factory by the Moplahs. In revenge the Portuguese bombarded the town, but no further attempt was made for some years to establish a trading settlement there. In 1509 the marshal Don Fernando Coutinho made an unsuccessful attack on the city; and in the following year it was again assailed by Albuquerque with 3000 troops. On this occasion the palace was plundered and the town burnt; but the Portuguese were finally repulsed, and fled to their ships after heavy loss. In the following year they concluded a peace with the zamorin and were allowed to build a fortified factory on the north bank of the Kallayi river, which was however again, and finally, abandoned in 1525. In 1615 the town was visited by an English expedition under Captain Keeling, who concluded a treaty with the zamorin; but it was not until 1664 that an English trading settlement was established by the East India Company. The French settlement, which still exists, was founded in 1698. The town was taken in 1765 by Hyder Ali, who expelled all the merchants and factors, and destroyed the cocoa-nut trees, sandal-wood and pepper vines, that the country reduced to ruin might present no temptation to the cupidity of Europeans. In 1782 the troops of Hyder were driven from Calicut by the British; but in 1788 it was taken and destroyed by his son Tippoo, who carried off the inhabitants to Beypur and treated them with great cruelty. In the latter part of 1790 the country was occupied by the British; and under the treaty concluded in 1792, whereby Tippoo was deprived of half his dominions, Calicut fell to the British. After this event the Calibration Curve.
inhabitants returned and rebuilt the town, which in 18eo consisted of 5000 houses.
As the administrative headquarters of the district, Calicut maintains its historical importance. It is served by the Madras railway, and is the chief seaport on the Malabar coast, and the principal exports are coffee, timber and coco-nut products. There are factories for coffee-cleaning, employing several hundred hands; for coir-pressing and timber-cutting. The town has a cotton-mill, a saw-mill, and tile, coffee and oil works. A detachment of European troops is generally stationed here to overawe the fanatical Moplahs.
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