Kozhikode

Kozhikode is famous in history as the capital of the Zamorin (Saamoothiri) rajas. Vasco-da-Gama landed in 1498 at Kappad near Kozhikode. It was one of the great ports on the west coast and is a port of call for cargo steamers even today. A big centre of the timber industry, it has busy boat-building yards. There are a number of temples, mosques, and churches, some of which have historical importance. Against the idyllic setting of the serene Arabian sea in the west and the proud peaks of the Wyanad hills in the east, this district has all the elements that fascinate a visitor. 
Some historians are of the opinion that Kozhikode derived its name from the fortified palace (Koyil Kotta) built by a Zamorin ruler. The great traveller Ibn Batuta, who visited Kozhikode at least six times in the mid 13th century, wrote of the prosperity he saw as "the greater part of the Mohammedan merchants of this place are so wealthy that one of them can purchase the whole fleet of such vessels put in here." 
Interestingly,Calicut (Kozhikode's name for some time) has also lent its name to "Calico", the fine variety of handwoven cotton cloth said to have originated in this place.

SIDELIGHTS:
Kappad: Vasco-da-Gama set foot on the sands of Kappad beach, on May 27 AD., a landing commemorated by a small stone monument at the beach.

Pazhassirajah museum: Located at East Hill, the Pazhassirajah museum, run by the state archaelogical department, displays ancient mural paintings, antique bronzes and old coins as well as models of temples, megalithic monuments like dolmonoid cysts and umbrella stones.

Mananchira: Mananchira the heart of the city, is the site of important institutions like the Town Hall and the public library. One of Kozhikode's oldest buildings, the Commonwealth Trust Office is situated here. The large pond and the park are well known landmarks.

Beypore: 11 kms from Kozhikode is a small coastal town known for centuries as a ship building centre and still famous for its country crafts called "Urdu" which are built by the traditional shipbuilders known as Khalasis. Beypore is still a favourite destination among Arabs shopping for large boats.

Kallai: 6 km away from the city centre is Kallai, once the bustling nerve-point of Kozhikode's timber trade, said to have been the largest such trading centre in Asia. Today, though some business does take place, hard times have fallen on the timber trade and Kallai is just a shadow of its past.

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