Cities
In Kerala
( Kozhikode )
Area:
30.61 sq km (city area)
Population: 801,190
Languages: Malayali, English, Hindi
Best time to visit: October to March
STD code: 0495
Location
Calicut or Kozhikode is situated in the south Indian state
of Kerala on the southwest coast of the Arabian Sea. The district
extends from latitude 11°15' N to 75°49' E. Basking in
the idyllic setting of the serene Arabian Sea on the west and
mesmeric peaks of the Wayanad hills on the east, this district
has all the required ingredients to fascinate a tourist.
Climate
Due to its nearness to sea, the place has a hot and humid
climate. Summer starts from March and continues until May. Maximum
temperature recorded in the month of May is 36°C and minimum
temperature recorded in the month of December is 14°C. Southwest
monsoon arrives in the first week of June and average annual rainfall
is 254 cm.
History
There is not much known of the early history of Calicut except
for some prehistoric rock-cut caves that have been found at many
places of the district. During the Sangam age, the district was
under the Chera administration until ad 1122. This was the time
when this region was a major center of trade between Kerala and
the outside world. The city of Calicut came into existence in
the 13th century when Udaiyavar, the king of Ernad, conquered
the area around Ponniankar and built a fort at a place called
Velapuram, now known as Calicut. Interestingly, the name Calicut
is derived from ‘calico,’ the fine variety of hand-woven
cotton cloth said to have originated from this place.
The
outer world came to know about India in 1498 when Vasco da Gama
came to Calicut and obtained permission to carry out trade from
here. Quickly in succession came the English and Dutch. Disputes
over the control of Calicut continued for a long time until 1792,
when the East India Company went into an agreement with the local
Zamori rulers to directly administer this area. Kerala was declared
a state in 1956, and Calicut today is one of the most important
centers of trade and business in this progressive state.
