INDIALINE
Complete India Travel Guide

Kozhikode Essential Information

Thali Temple Kozhikode, Kerala

Kozhikode History

Kozhikode was earlier known as Calicut which was an angilised form of Kalikut. According to some scholars, prominently K V Krishnan Iyer, the name implies koyil (palace) Kodu (fortified). Also, the quality cotton, calico (origin of the name Calicut) is believed to have originated here.

As for the history of Kozikode is concerned, not much is known about its earlier part. During the Sangam age, the district of Kozhikode formed a part of the mighty Chera Empire and was significant in building up Kerala's relation with outside world. Post Sangam age was the Dark Age of South India. Very little is known about Calicut during this period. In the 9th century, Kozhikode formed a part of the second Chera Empire and continued so till 1122 AD. This was the time when the Chera Empire lost its power and the kingdom split up into independent districts called 'nadus'. Important among them were districts like Ernad and Polanad. Calicut was, at this time, a part of the Polanad district ruled by the Porlarthris. The Ernad district was under the Udaiyavar who had their headquarters at Nediyiruppu. The Udaiyavar were keen to have an access to sea and for this reason they waged a war against the Porlarthris for 48 long years. Finally, they succeeded in their attempt and managed to capture the area around Ponniankara. A fort was constructed at place called Velapuram giving birth to the city of Kozhikode. Subsequently, the Udaiyavar were renamed Swami Nambiyathiri Thirumulpad and then, with the passage of time became Samuri or Samuthiri. For the Europeans, they were the Zamorin. The place around the fort was called Koyil (palace) Kotta (fort) and hence the name of the place became Kozhikode.

By this time, Calicut was established as a leading spice trading centre on the western coast. It was the Zamorin ruler himself who received the famous Portugese sailor, Vasco da gama as he set his feet in Kozhikode in May 1498. With his arrival, Calicut was thrown open to the world as an important spice trading centre. There were traders - Russian, Chinese, Dutch and finally the British from all over the world coming to Calicut for a profitable deal.

In 1766, Hyder Ali of Mysore captured Kozhikode and came into conflict with the Britishers. Disputes continued till 1792 when after the Third Anglo Mysore War, the territory of Kozhikode along with its surrounding area was given away to the British by Tipu Sultan. The newly acquired territories of Malabar Coast became the Malabar district of the Madras Presidency. Calicut was designated its capital. Post independence, the Madras Presidency was turned into Madras state. It was only in 1956, when the Indian states were being reorganized on the basis of language ,that Kerala (consisting of Malabar district and Travancore-Cochin) came into existence. The Malabar district was segregated into separate district of Kannur, Kozhikode and Palakkad a year later.

Today, Kozhikode is a progressive trade centre of India and a tourists destination as well.

Shopping

Interestingly, tourists in Kozhikode have been known to carry back the varied coloured Kozhikode halwa and banana chips more than anything else. The, there is the spice market with its irresistible variety of Kerala spices, almost ready to season your food.

Other items that make for a good buy include bell metal artefacts, models of urs or yatch, muslin and handloom cloth (the last two were the pride of Kozhikode at one point of time). Main shopping street of the city is the SM Street where the sweet halwa is sold.

Getting There

By Air

The closest airport from Kozhikode lies at a distance of 26 km, Karipur Airport. Flights from here fly daily to Delhi, Coiambatore, Mumbai, Kochi and Chennai. There are flights thrice a week to Goa, twice to Trichy and just once to Trivandrum. From Karipur, prepaid taxis are available to take you to Kozhikode.

By Rail

The nearest railway station from Kozhikode is at Calicut. Trains from here run to and from Ernakulam, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. The Cannanore, Netravati and Partshuram Express run daily to Ernakulam and Delhi. The Netravati Express along with the Mangla Lakshwadeep Express trains connects to Mumbai. The Mangala Lakshwadeep Express originates in Delhi which is also connected to Kozhikode by another train by the name of Trivandrum Rajdhani. The Mangalore Mail runs daily between Calicut and Chennai.

By Road

Kozhikode is linked with many other places by National and State Highways. For example, the NH-17 connects it to places like Kannur (86 km), Kasodgarh (175 km), Mangalore (224 km), Panjim (619 km) and Mumbai (1212 km). Kochi lies at a distance of 223 km from Kozhikode Bus services from Kozhikode run to Kochi, Thrissur, Kannur, Perinthalamanna, Bangalore, Mangalore and Madurai.