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Calicut, also known as Kozhikode (), is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Calicut is listed among the UNESCO's Cities of Literature.
It is the nineteenth largest urban agglomeration in the country and the second largest one in Kerala. Calicut city is the second largest city proper in the state with a corporation limit population of 609,224 Calicut is classified as a Tier-2 city by the Government of India.
It is the largest city on the Malabar Coast and was the capital of the British-era Malabar District. It was the capital of an independent kingdom ruled by the (Zamorins). The port at Calicut acted as the gateway to the medieval coast for the Chinese people, 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, Calicut was ranked the second-best city in India to live in. Indicus considered six parameters: health, education, environment, safety, public facilities and entertainment In 2023, Calicut was recognised by UNESCO as India's first City of Literature.
The name evolved into Kolikod, or its Arabic form Qāliqūṭ (IPA: qˠaːliqˠːuːtˤ) and later its anglicised version Calicut. Chinese people merchants called it Kūlifo.
The word calico, a fine hand-woven cotton fabric that was exported from the port of Calicut, is believed to be derived from Calicut.Encyclopædia Britannica (2008). calico
In the 14th century, Kozhikode conquered large parts of central Kerala after the seizure of the Tirunavaya region from Valluvanad, which was under the control of the king of Perumbadappu Swaroopam (Cochin). The ruler of Perumpadappu 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, Kalaripayattu played a significant role in Malabar's history. Notable warriors included Aromal Chekavar and his sister Unniyarcha.
The port at Calicut held a superior economic and political position along the medieval Kerala coast, while Kannur, Kollam, and Kochi were commercially important secondary ports where traders from various parts of the world gathered. The Portuguese, Indian Ocean and European Bridgeheads 1500–1800. Festschrift in Honour of Prof. K. S. Mathew (2001). Edited by: Pius Malekandathil and T. Jamal Mohammed. Fundacoa Oriente. Institute for Research in Social Sciences and Humanities of MESHAR (Kerala) In the 15th century, Calicut was visited several times by ships from China, which became known as Ming treasure voyages.
Calicut was the capital of an independent kingdom ruled by the (Zamorins) in the Middle Ages and later of the erstwhile Malabar District under British rule. Arab people merchants traded with the region as early as 7th century, and Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed at Calicut on 20 May 1498, opening a trade route between Europe and India. A Portuguese trading post and a fort existed in Calicut for a short period (1511–1525, until 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 Calicut as part of its occupation of the Malabar Coast.
Ma Huan (1403), a Chinese sailor who was part of the Imperial Chinese fleet under Cheng Ho (Zheng He)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. lauds the city as a great emporium of trade frequented by merchants from around the world. He makes note of 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 Shah Rukh found the city's harbour perfectly secured and notices precious articles from several maritime countries, especially from Ethiopian Empire, Zirbad and Zanzibar.
The Italian Niccolò de' Conti (1445), one of the earliest known Christian travellers to document Calicut, 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 .
The Russian traveller Athanasius Nikitin or Afanasy Nikitin (1468–1474) calls 'Calecut' a port for the whole Indian sea and describes it as having a "big bazaar."
Other travellers who visited Calicut include the Italian Ludovico di VarthemaVarthema, Ludovico di, The Travels of Ludovico di Varthema, A.D.1503–08, translated from the original 1510 Italian ed. by John Winter Jones, Hakluyt Society, London (1503–1508) and Duarte Barbosa.Gangadharan. M., The Land of Malabar: The Book of Barbosa (2000), Vol II, M.G University, Kottayam.
Subsequently, the town of Calicut was founded close to the palace at Tali. The Eradis then shifted their headquarters from Nediyiruppu to Calicut. The Governor of Ernad built a fort at Velapuram to safeguard their new territory. The fort most likely lent its name to Koyil Kotta, the precursor to Kozhikode. The city thus came into existence sometime in the 13th century.
As the status of the Udaiyavar (king) increased, he became known as Swami Nambiyathiri Thirumulpad, eventually assuming the title Samuri or Samoothiri. European traders referred to this title in a corrupted form as Zamorin.
At the peak of their power, the Zamorins ruled over a region from Kollam (Quilon) to Panthalayini Kollam (Koyilandy).Varier, M. R. Raghava. "Documents of Investiture Ceremonies" in K. K. N. Kurup, Edit., "India's Naval Traditions". Northern Book Centre, New Delhi, 1997 Following the discovery of the sea route from Europe to Calicut in 1498, the Portuguese began to expand their territories and ruled the seas between Ormus and the Malabar Coast, and as far south as Sri Lanka.Sanjay Subrahmanyam, The Career and Legend of Vasco da Gama, Cambridge University Press, 1997, 288 Some prominent in Calicut were engaged in sea trade and shipping as early as two centuries ago.
According to historian K.V. Krishna Iyer, Kozhikode's rise was both a cause and a consequence of Zamorin's ascendancy in Kerala. By the late 15th century, the Zamorin was at the zenith of his power, 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 in January 1502, fought between the Third Portuguese Armada allied with the Kingdom of Cochin under João da Nova and Zamorin of Calicut's navy, marked the beginning of Portuguese conflicts in the Indian Ocean. The defeat of the joint fleet of the Sultan of Gujarat Mahmud Begada, the Burji dynasty, and the Zamorin of Calicut with support from the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Diu in February 1509 marked the beginning of Portuguese dominance over the spice trade and the Indian Ocean.
Throughout the 16th century, continuous naval conflicts between the Zamorin's navy, led by Kunjali Marakkar (Fleet Admiral) and the Portuguese significantly reduced the importance of Calicut as a centre of trade. Kunjali Marakkar is credited with organizing the first naval defense of the Indian coast.
By the early 17th century, the Zamorin expelled the Portuguese with the help of the Dutch East India Company. In 1602, the Zamorin sent envoys to Aceh, promising the Dutch a fort at Calicut in exchange for their support in trade. Two factors, Hans de Wolff and Lafer, were sent from Aceh, but the two were captured by the chief of Tanur, and handed over to the Portuguese.Sanjay Subrahmanyam. "The Political Economy of Commerce: Southern India 1500–1650". Cambridge University Press, 2002
In November 1604, a Dutch fleet under Admiral Steven van der Hagen arrived in Calicut, marking the beginning of the Dutch presence in Kerala. On 11 November 1604, the Dutch East India Company signed its first treaty with an Indian ruler, forming an alliance with Kozhikode to expel the Portuguese from Malabar. In return, the Dutch were granted trading rights in Calicut and Ponnani, including spacious storehouses. By this time, however, the kingdom and port of Kozhikode had lost much of their former prominence.
Calicut was the administrative capital of the Malabar District, one of the two districts on the western coast (Malabar Coast) of the Madras presidency. During British rule, Malabar's importance lay in the production of Malabar pepper, coconut, tiles, and teak.Pamela Nightingale, ‘Jonathan Duncan (bap. 1756, d. 1811)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2009 Kozhikode municipality was formed on 1 November 1866 according to the Madras Act 10 of 1865 (Amendment of the Improvements in Towns act 1850).
Calicut has been 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%(315,807 people), while Muslims form 37.66% (207,298 people).
Kozhikode Municipal Corporation has an average literacy rate of 96.8% (national average is 74.85%). The male literacy rate is 97.93% and female literacy rate is 95.78%.
Historically, Calicut has been home to diverse communities and regional groups. Many of these communities continued their traditional occupations and customs until the 20th century. Brahmins primarily resided near Hindu temples in the city. Regional groups such as Tamil Brahmins, Gujaratis, and Marwari Jains settled in the city, residing near their shrines.Narayanan M.G.S., Calicut: The City of Truth, Calicut University Press (2006)
The Nairs formed the rulers, warriors and landed gentry of Calicut. 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 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 Tiyyar formed the vaidyars (Ayurveda Physicians), local militia, and traders of Calicut. The Muslims of Calicut are known as , and according to the official Calicut website "the great majority of them are Sunni Islam following the Shafi school of thought. There are some smaller communities among the Muslims such as 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 region (northern Kerala) began to rise only after the arrival of Portuguese missionaries towards the close of the 15th century. A few Christians of Travancore 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 Calicut as dependants of chieftains, working as cooks, cloth merchants and moneylenders.Narayanan.M.G.S., Calicut: The City of Truth(2006) Calicut University Publications They have retained their Tamil language and dialects as well as caste rituals. The Gujarati people community 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 Calicut at least from the beginning of the 14th century. They belong to either the Hindu or the Jain community. A few Marwaris families are also found in Calicut who was basically moneylenders.
By language, 97.64% of the population speaks Malayalam and 0.91% Tamil language as their first language.
| Mayor | Beena Philip |
| Deputy Mayor | Musafar Ahmed |
| Member of Parliament | M.K.Raghvan |
| District Collector | Shri. Snehil Kumar Singh IAS |
| Police Commissioner | Shri Rajpal Meena IPS |
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| 14 |
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National Highway 766 connects Calicut to Bangalore through Kollegal in Karnataka via Tirumakudal Narsipur, Mysore, Nanjangud, Gundlupet, Sulthan Bathery, Kalpetta and Thamarassery.
National Highway 966 connects Calicut to Palakkad through Malappuram and Perinthalmanna. It covers a distance of . At Ramanattukara, a suburb of Calicut, 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.
State highway 38 starts from Pavangad near passes through Ulliyeri, Perambra, Kuttiady, Nadapuram, Panoor and Koothuparamba and ends at Chovva in Kannur. The highway is107;km long. It is one of the busiest route in the district.
SH 54 connects the city to Kalpetta. The highway is 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 long.
SH 34 starts from Koyilandy and ends in Edavanna which is 44.0 km long. This highway passes through Koyilandi, Ulliyeri, Balussery, Thamarassery, Omassery and Mukkam.
SH 68 starts from Kappad and ends in Adivaram which is 66km long. This highway passes through Atholi, Nanminda, Narikkuni, Koduvally, Omassery, Kodenchery and Thusharagiri.
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.
Information Technology and Business Sector Calicut is emerging as a major center for information technology (IT) in Kerala. Cyberpark, a Government of Kerala initiative, was established to build, operate, and manage IT parks in the Malabar region to promote investment in IT and IT-enabled services (ITES). It is set to become the third IT hub in Kerala, following Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram and Infopark in Kochi. The Cyberpark initiative, along with its satellite centers in Kannur and Kasaragod, is expected to generate around 100,000 direct job opportunities.
Other major IT and business hubs in Calicut include UL Cyberpark, which is the first IT SEZ (Special Economic Zone) in the Malabar region, Government Cyberpark, and Hilite Business Park, which houses multiple IT firms and corporate offices.
Industrial and Infrastructure Development Calicut is also witnessing significant industrial growth, with key upcoming projects such as:
Birla IT Park (Mavoor) – A proposed technology and industrial park. Malaysian Satellite City (Kinaloor) – A large-scale industrial park planned by KINFRA, covering . Kozhikode Bypass Economic Corridor – A growing commercial and IT corridor near Cyberpark. Additionally, Beypore Port is undergoing development to enhance maritime trade and cargo handling capabilities.
Cultural Recognition In 2012, Calicut was officially recognized as the "City of Sculptures" (Shilpa Nagaram) due to the numerous architectural sculptures and artistic landmarks found throughout the city.
With its growing IT sector, industrial expansion, and infrastructural improvements, Calicut continues to develop as a key economic and technological hub in Kerala.
Shopping Malls in Calicut With urbanization and the growing influence of modern retail culture, Calicut has witnessed the rise of shopping malls that offer a mix of retail outlets, entertainment zones, and dining facilities. Some of the major malls in the city include:
Focus Mall – The first shopping mall in Kerala, marking the beginning of modern retail spaces in the state. It features a range of branded outlets, a food court, and entertainment facilities.
HiLITE Mall – The largest shopping mall in the Malabar region, part of the HiLITE City project. The mall houses over 200 retail stores, including international and domestic brands, a multiplex cinema, a large food court, and dedicated entertainment zones. "HiLITE City, One of India's Largest Mixed-Use Development Project Enters the Limelight" . Business Wire. 9 March 2015.
Gokulam Mall – A mid-sized shopping complex featuring multiple retail outlets, dining options, and a multiplex. Address Mall – A modern shopping destination with luxury brand stores, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. RP Mall – A popular retail and entertainment hub, featuring a mix of branded stores, food courts, and a cinema. Lulu Mall Kozhikode – Developed by LuLu Group International, this newly established mall in Mankavu is one of the largest retail projects in the region. It brings a world-class shopping experience with a variety of international brands, hypermarkets, and entertainment facilities.
The emergence of these malls has significantly transformed Calicut's retail landscape, providing residents and visitors with modern shopping and leisure experiences.
Calicut has a tradition of Ghazal and Hindustani music appreciation. There are many Malayalam Ghazals. The late film director and play back singer M. S. Baburaj, from Calicut was influenced by Ghazal and Hindustani.Ramin Raveendran (20 October 2013). "Keeping the harmonium close to his heart" . The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
Satellite television services are available through DD Direct+, Dish TV, Sun Direct DTH and Tata Sky. Asianet Digital TV is popularly known as ACV telecasts daily city news. Spidernet is another local channel. Other local operators include KCL and Citinet.
The Calicut Press Club came into existence in 1970. It is the nerve centre of all media activities, both print and electronic. Begun with around 70 members in the roll, this Press Club, became a prestigious and alert media centre in the state with a present membership of over 280.
Calicut is home to two premier educational institutions of national importance: the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK), and the National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC). Other research institutions located in Kozhikode include NIRDESH (NIRDESH), Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) and National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT).
The University of Calicut is the largest university in Kerala and is located in Thenjipalam, about south of Calicut. This university was established in 1968 and was the second university set up in Kerala. Most of the colleges offering tertiary education in the region are affiliated to this university. The Calicut Medical College was established in 1957 as the second medical college in Kerala. Since then, the institution has grown into a premier centre of medical education in the state. Presently it is the largest medical institute in the state with a yearly intake of 250 candidates for the undergraduate programme.
The Government Law College, Kozhikode situated in Vellimadukunnu on the out skirts of Calicut town, is owned by the Government of Kerala and affiliated to the University of Calicut. The college caters to the needs of the north Malabar region of Kerala it is the third law college in kerala state founded in 1970.
Main colleges in calicut city: Zamurians Guruvayoorappan College, Malabar Christian college, Farook College, Devagiri College, Providence college for women, Govt. Arts & science college, Meenchantha, Kerala Government Polytechnic College, West Hill, Government Engineering College Kozhikode.
Eduport operates fully residential schools with on-campus facilities such as libraries and hostels in cities including Kozhikode.
Calicut is the home to Super League Kerala club Calicut FC, they are the defending champions of the league right now
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