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Revision as of 12:45, 2 June 2007
Kozhikode
Kozhikode | |
|---|---|
city | |
 | |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | M. Bhaskaran |
| Population (2001) | |
• Total | 436,527 |
| Website | kozhikode.nic.in |
- For the district with the same name, see Kozhikode District.
Kozhikode in (Malayalam കോഴിക്കോട് ; IPA: [ko:ɹikko:ɖ]), also known as Calicut, is a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is the third largest corporation in Kerala and the headquarters of Kozhikode district. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom, and later of the erstwhile Malabar District.
Name
The word Calicut is a corruption (the total inability of non-Malayali to pronounce the sound "zha" as in mazha for rain or pazham for banana, the ability to pronounce the sound is acquired by native speakers and children and it allows Keralites to recognize native speakers from others). Tipu Sultan also tried to change the name of city to ferzobad during the conquest of malabar but didn't succeded.
The term Calico is derived from the name of the city of Calicut. It is a type of cotton that is used a lot in soft furnishing. It was one of the first export commodities to Europe. Calico was made by the traditional weavers of calicut called chaliyans.
History
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 in as early as the 14th century, by Chinese travellers such as Zheng He[1]. Kozhikode had emerged as the centre of an independent kingdom by the 14th century, whose ruler was known as the Samoothirippadu (often anglicised as Zamorin). Thus Calicut came to be called the City of Zamorins
In the year 1498 Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed at 'Kappad', about 25 km from Calicut city.
During the 16th century, the Portuguese set up trading posts to the north in Kannur and to the south in Kochi, but the Zamorin resisted the establishment of a permanent Portuguese presence in the city. In 1509 though, the kingdom was forced to accept a Portuguese trading post in Chaliyar[citation needed]. The Samoothirippadu later allied with Portuguese's rivals, the Dutch, 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 and came 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, 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 November 1 1956. Malabar District was split into the districts of Kannur, Kozhikode, and Palakkad on January 1 1957.
Geography
Kozhikode is located at 11°15′N 75°46′E / 11.25°N 75.77°E[2]. It has an average elevation of 1 metre (3 feet).
Climate
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 3266 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.
Demographics
As of 2001 India censusTemplate:GR, Kozhikode had a population of 436,530. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kozhikode has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 82%. In Kozhikode, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
People
Hindus constitute the majority of the population, followed by the Muslim and Christian communities respectively. Most of the Muslim population of Kozhikode District are known as Mappilas. Christianity is believed to have been introduced in Kerala in 52 CE, and the Christian population expanded during the presence of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. There also exist a few hundred Gujarathis who are predominantly merchants and traders.
Media
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.
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.
Places of interest
- Kozhikode Beach
- Mananchira Square
- Art gallery and Krishna Menon Museum at East Hill in Kozhikode
- Lalitha Kala Academy: An art gallery adjacent to the Kozhikode town hall
- Planetarium
- Thusharagiri: A waterfall situated about 55 km from Calicut Railway Station
- Kappad Beach: 17 km from Calicut city, this is where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498
Beypore
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 2km break-water made of stone is another attraction.
Culture and cuisine
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. 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 also has a strong mercantile streak to it. The main area of business was once the Valiyangadi (Big Bazaar) near the Calicut railway station and as time progressed it shifted to other parts of the city. Now the major vein of commerce is the Mittai Theruvu, a long street crammed with shops that sell everything from sarees to cosmetics, and house restaurants to sweetmeat shops. The name Mithai Theruvu or S M Street comes from the famous Kozhikode Halwa which was often called the Sweet Meat by European traders. The multicultural mix of Kozhikode ensures that Onam, Christmas and Id-ul-Fitr (the festivals of the Hindus, Christians and Muslims) are celebrated with equal pomp.
Kozhikode offers fare for every palate. Vegetarian fare includes the sadya. However, the non-vegetarian food offered in the city is a unique mix of Muslim and Christian preparations. Some popular dishes include the Biriyani, Ghee Rice with meat curry, sea-food (prawns, mussels, mackerel) and paper thin Pathiris to provide accompaniment to spicy gravy. Another well known Kozhikode speciality is banana chips, which are made crisp and wafer thin.
See Also
Notables
* Achyuthan A - Scientist * Arjun Sreedharan- Computer securities expert * Kuthiravattom Pappu - Actor * C H Muhammed Koya - Politician * V.K.Krishna Menon - Diplomat * Shihab Thangal - Social Leader * M.T. Vasudevan Nair - Writer * S.K. Pottakkad - Writer * Mammukoya - Cine Actor * K.Kelappan-Freedom Fighter
Trivia
Kappad in Calicut, now a favourite beach resort for the locals, was the place in India where Vasco da Gama first arrived in 1498.
The name Calico is derived from the name of the city of Calicut. It is a type of cotton that is used a lot in soft furnishing. It was one of the first export commodities to the European nations. Calico was made by the traditional weavers of calicut called 'chaliyans'. Peruvayal panchayat is the largest panchayat in Calicut district.
External links
- Kozhikode District official website
- Calicut (Kozhikode) City Map
- Massacre by the Portuguese Forces in Calicut
References
- ^ Ma Huan: Ying Yai Sheng Lan, The Overall Survey of the Ocean's Shores, translated by J.V.G. Mills, 1970 Hakluyt Society, reprint 1997 White Lotus Press. ISBN 974-8496-78-3
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kozhikode
