Kozhikode facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kozhikode
Calicut
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Clockwise from top:
Calicut beach pier, KSRTC bus stand complex, Calicut mini bypass, Kozhikode Beach, IIM Kozhikode, Hilite Mall |
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Nickname(s):
City of Spices
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Country | India |
State | Kerala |
District | Kozhikode |
Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is a city in Kerala, India and the headquarters of the Kozhikode district. The Kozhikode metropolitan area is the second largest urban area in Kerala with a population of 2 million as of 2011. The city lies about 276 km south west of Bangalore, 235 km south of Mangalore and 525 km south west of Chennai. Kozhikode ranked as the second best city in India to reside in.
It was the capital of an independent kingdom ruled by the Samoothiris (Zamorins) in the Middle Ages and later the Malabar District under British rule.
During classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikode was dubbed the City of Spices for its role as the major trading point of Indian spices. 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 Malabar.
The English landed in 1615 (constructing a trading post in 1665), followed by the French (1698) and the Dutch (1752).
Kozhikode, once a famous cotton-weaving centre, gave its name to the Calico cloth.
The city has a strong trading aspect. 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 (Sweetmeat Street or S. M. Street), a long street crammed with shops that sell everything from saris to cosmetics. It also houses restaurants and sweetmeat shops. Today, the city has multiple shopping malls.
In addition to the Malabar Mahotsavam, the annual cultural festival of Kozhikode, every year since 1981 the Tyagaraja Aradhana Trust has been conducting a five-day music festival in honour of Tyagaraja. The festival is complete with the Uncchavritti, performances of Divyanama kritis, Pancharatna Kritis, concerts by professional artists and students of music from morning to late in the evening.
Images for kids
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Vasco da Gama's arrival in Calicut in 1498 ushered in five centuries of rule of the Portuguese Empire in India, lasting until 1961.
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The path Vasco da Gama took to reach Kozhikode (black line) in 1498, which was also the discovery of a sea route from Europe to India, and eventually paved way for the European colonisation of Indian subcontinent.
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India in early 1320 CE. Note that most of the parts of present-day state of Kerala was under the influence of the Zamorin of Kozhikode.
See also
In Spanish: Kozhikode para niños