Kozhikode is a busy coastal of northern Kerala. It was earlier known as Calicut. Kozhikode has a very important place in the history of Kerala. The Arab and the Chinese merchants preferred this port as Kozhikode (Calicut) offered full freedom and security to them.
In 1498, Vasco da Gama reached at Kappad Beach near Kozhikode. He was the first European to reach India via the sea route around the southern cape of Africa. The arrival of Vasco da Gama marked the start of the Portuguese domination in India and thereafter the history of Kozhikode had seen a dramatic change. This town became a centre of Malabar power under the Zamorins or Lords of the sea.
Later, in 1509 and 1510 the Portuguese tried to surmount the Kozhikode town. Both these attacks were warded off but the town was almost destructed. The British established their rule in 1792 after Tipu Sultan left the whole region to ravage in 1789. During the part of 17th century, Pazhassi raja led the famous `Pazhassi Revolt` against the British East India Company in Kozhikode.
Beypore was an important port of Kozhikode in ancient days. It was situated at the mouth of the Chaliyar River. This port was well known among the merchants from western Asia for its ship building industry especially for the construction of the `Uru`, a traditional Arabian trading vessel.
Kalla was a place six km away from Kozhikode, which was once the active nerve centre of the district`s timber trade. The king Solomon and queen Sheba of those times liked this place very much.
