Kozhikode as a district came into existence on 1st January 1957. After the formation of Kerala state in 1956, when Malabar district was divided into three districts, the Central district with headquarters at Calicut (Kozhikode) was named as Kozhikode. The district, which initially had 5 taluks, had undergone several changes and the district with 3 taluks was formed on 1st November 1980.
The early history of the district is lost in obscurity. Neither inscription nor works of classical geographers and poets help us in reconstructing in full its early history. However, it is certain that during the Sangam Age the district formed part of the empire of the Cheras. During the Sangam age i.e. in the first two centuries of A.D the district was known as Poozhinad, which was later, annexed to Chera empire. The history of Kozhikode district for the next few centuries i.e. upto 8th century A.D is obscure. Kozhikode and its surroundings were part of Polanad ruled by Kolathiris. The ancestors of present Zamorin family defeated Kolathiri’s forces and established their headquarters at Kozhikode. Because of the persistent efforts and administrative abilities of the rulers who were later known as Zamorin, Kozhikode became an importantm commercial and trading centre during post Sangam age.
During the pre Portuguese period the Zamorin achieved the suzerainty over a large track of landand many neighbouring Rajas accepted him as their protector. When Portuguese arrived in the political scene of Kerala, there were a few major and minor rulers in this part of the country. The major rulers comprised of Kolathiri Raja in the north, Zamorin in the central belt and the King of Venad in the south.
Vasco Da Gama landed at Kappad near Calicut on 27th May 1498 and this visit can be considered as an important event in the history of Kerala. Zamorin permitted the Portuguese to build a factory at Calicut. Portuguese dominated the scene for a long time taking advantage of the enemity between Zamorin and the rulers of Cochin. Zamorin’s fleet under the command of Kunjali Marakkar defeated the Portuguese in several encounters. But taking advantage of the strained relationship between the Zamorin and the last Kunjali Marakkar, Portuguese aligned with the Zamorin. As per the agreement reached with the Portuguese, Zamorin took Kunjali IV as captive and handed him over to the Portuguese who later hanged him. Subsequently Portuguese withdrew from the scene.
The Dutch entered the political scene of Kerala only in 1663 by the capture of Cochin from thePortuguese though the Zamorin’s territories were also frequently visited by many Dutch admirals. The Dutch was in Kerala only for a short period.
The modern history of Kozhikode starts with the arrival of the British. In 1615, they entered at Calicut coast. Slowly they established their foothold in this large track of land, as a result of the political happening in the rest of the peninsula.
The Mysorean intervention in Kerala started as early as 1757. Hyder Ali who ascended the throne of Mysore in 1761 brought Calicut also under his control after conquering Kolathiri, Kottayam and Kadathanad. After the departure of Hyder Ali from Calicut in 1768, revolts from local chieftains against his authoritystarted. At the end of 1773, Hyder made a second invasion of Kerala through Coorg and Wayanad.
Zamorin left Calicut and took refuge in the Kingdom of Travancore. Hyder Ali ruled the area by appointing a military Governor for some period. In 1778, rebellion broke out against the Mysorean ruler with the encouragement of English East India Company. After the death of Hyder Ali, Tippu Sultan succeeded him. Tippu’s conquests and the founding of Feroke are the important events during the period. Tippu again came to Malabar in 1789 through Thamarasseri pass. However his suzerainty over the Malabar region could not last long. He was defeated by the British force. By the treaty of Srirangapatanam which concluded on 18th March 1792, the whole of erstwhile Malabar district including the present Kozhikode district was ceded to the English East India Company. Malabar became part of Madras presidency till the reorganisation of states in 1956.
Consequent on the States Reorganisation Act of the 1st November 1956, Kerala State was formed comprising of Kasargod Taluk of South Canara District, Malabar District (except Laccadive and Minicoy Islands), Travancore-Cochin State (excluding Thovala, Agastheswaram, Kalkulam, Vilancancode and Shencottah Taluks) on the 1st January 1957, Malabar District (comprising Kasargod Taluk and residuary Malabar District mentioned above) was divided into 3 new Districts viz. Cannanore, Kozhikode and Palghat. The District of Kozhikode thus formed had five Taluks viz. Badagara, Quilandy, Kozhikode, Ernad and Tirur. On the 15th March 1957, South Wayanad Taluk which was part of Cannanore District was added to Kozhikode District. On the 1st January 1979, North Wayanad Taluk was also made part of Kozhikode District. When a new Malappuram District was formed as a result of reorganisation of Village Boundaries a portion of Tirur Taluk was added to Kozhikode Taluk and Ernad and the residual Tirur Taluks were transferred to Malappuram District. Consequent on the formation of Wayanad District on the 1st November 1980, North ayanad and South Wayanad Taluks were transferred from Kozhikode District.
In the freedom struggle Kozhikode became memorable when an annual session of Congress party was held at Calicut towards the close of 19th century and later in 1903. A branch of Home Rule League started functioning at Calicut with Shri K.P. Kesava Menon as its Secretary. The second political conference was held at Calicut in 1917. Mahatma Gandhi and Shoukat Ali visited Kerala to propagate the message of non-cooperation and Khilaphat movement. Political journalism in support of freedom struggle took shape in Malabar by starting a Malayalam newspaper Mathrubhoomi” in March 1923 by Shri K.P. Kesava Menon and other Congress leaders. Another paper “Al amin” was started Om 1924 under the leadership of Shri Muhammed Abdul Rahiman. The Salt Sathyagraha march of Congress volunteers under the leadership of Shri K.Kelappan started from Calicut to Payyannur on 13th April 1930. Calicut became the centre of political activity in the state. In the Quit India Movement of 1942 many young workers participated and courted arrest.
The early history of the district is lost in obscurity. Neither inscription nor works of classical geographers and poets help us in reconstructing in full its early history. However, it is certain that during the Sangam Age the district formed part of the empire of the Cheras. During the Sangam age i.e. in the first two centuries of A.D the district was known as Poozhinad, which was later, annexed to Chera empire. The history of Kozhikode district for the next few centuries i.e. upto 8th century A.D is obscure. Kozhikode and its surroundings were part of Polanad ruled by Kolathiris. The ancestors of present Zamorin family defeated Kolathiri’s forces and established their headquarters at Kozhikode. Because of the persistent efforts and administrative abilities of the rulers who were later known as Zamorin, Kozhikode became an importantm commercial and trading centre during post Sangam age.
During the pre Portuguese period the Zamorin achieved the suzerainty over a large track of landand many neighbouring Rajas accepted him as their protector. When Portuguese arrived in the political scene of Kerala, there were a few major and minor rulers in this part of the country. The major rulers comprised of Kolathiri Raja in the north, Zamorin in the central belt and the King of Venad in the south.
Vasco Da Gama landed at Kappad near Calicut on 27th May 1498 and this visit can be considered as an important event in the history of Kerala. Zamorin permitted the Portuguese to build a factory at Calicut. Portuguese dominated the scene for a long time taking advantage of the enemity between Zamorin and the rulers of Cochin. Zamorin’s fleet under the command of Kunjali Marakkar defeated the Portuguese in several encounters. But taking advantage of the strained relationship between the Zamorin and the last Kunjali Marakkar, Portuguese aligned with the Zamorin. As per the agreement reached with the Portuguese, Zamorin took Kunjali IV as captive and handed him over to the Portuguese who later hanged him. Subsequently Portuguese withdrew from the scene.
The Dutch entered the political scene of Kerala only in 1663 by the capture of Cochin from thePortuguese though the Zamorin’s territories were also frequently visited by many Dutch admirals. The Dutch was in Kerala only for a short period.
The modern history of Kozhikode starts with the arrival of the British. In 1615, they entered at Calicut coast. Slowly they established their foothold in this large track of land, as a result of the political happening in the rest of the peninsula.
The Mysorean intervention in Kerala started as early as 1757. Hyder Ali who ascended the throne of Mysore in 1761 brought Calicut also under his control after conquering Kolathiri, Kottayam and Kadathanad. After the departure of Hyder Ali from Calicut in 1768, revolts from local chieftains against his authoritystarted. At the end of 1773, Hyder made a second invasion of Kerala through Coorg and Wayanad.
Zamorin left Calicut and took refuge in the Kingdom of Travancore. Hyder Ali ruled the area by appointing a military Governor for some period. In 1778, rebellion broke out against the Mysorean ruler with the encouragement of English East India Company. After the death of Hyder Ali, Tippu Sultan succeeded him. Tippu’s conquests and the founding of Feroke are the important events during the period. Tippu again came to Malabar in 1789 through Thamarasseri pass. However his suzerainty over the Malabar region could not last long. He was defeated by the British force. By the treaty of Srirangapatanam which concluded on 18th March 1792, the whole of erstwhile Malabar district including the present Kozhikode district was ceded to the English East India Company. Malabar became part of Madras presidency till the reorganisation of states in 1956.
Consequent on the States Reorganisation Act of the 1st November 1956, Kerala State was formed comprising of Kasargod Taluk of South Canara District, Malabar District (except Laccadive and Minicoy Islands), Travancore-Cochin State (excluding Thovala, Agastheswaram, Kalkulam, Vilancancode and Shencottah Taluks) on the 1st January 1957, Malabar District (comprising Kasargod Taluk and residuary Malabar District mentioned above) was divided into 3 new Districts viz. Cannanore, Kozhikode and Palghat. The District of Kozhikode thus formed had five Taluks viz. Badagara, Quilandy, Kozhikode, Ernad and Tirur. On the 15th March 1957, South Wayanad Taluk which was part of Cannanore District was added to Kozhikode District. On the 1st January 1979, North Wayanad Taluk was also made part of Kozhikode District. When a new Malappuram District was formed as a result of reorganisation of Village Boundaries a portion of Tirur Taluk was added to Kozhikode Taluk and Ernad and the residual Tirur Taluks were transferred to Malappuram District. Consequent on the formation of Wayanad District on the 1st November 1980, North ayanad and South Wayanad Taluks were transferred from Kozhikode District.
In the freedom struggle Kozhikode became memorable when an annual session of Congress party was held at Calicut towards the close of 19th century and later in 1903. A branch of Home Rule League started functioning at Calicut with Shri K.P. Kesava Menon as its Secretary. The second political conference was held at Calicut in 1917. Mahatma Gandhi and Shoukat Ali visited Kerala to propagate the message of non-cooperation and Khilaphat movement. Political journalism in support of freedom struggle took shape in Malabar by starting a Malayalam newspaper Mathrubhoomi” in March 1923 by Shri K.P. Kesava Menon and other Congress leaders. Another paper “Al amin” was started Om 1924 under the leadership of Shri Muhammed Abdul Rahiman. The Salt Sathyagraha march of Congress volunteers under the leadership of Shri K.Kelappan started from Calicut to Payyannur on 13th April 1930. Calicut became the centre of political activity in the state. In the Quit India Movement of 1942 many young workers participated and courted arrest.
