KOZHIKODE: A commercial city called Kozhikode

11 Mar 2003 00:00 IST

New Update

Kozhikode, aka Calicut, the most important city of Malabar region of Kerala, was a leading trading center for spices on the west coast of India during the medieval period.Â

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Ruled by the Zamorin dynasty, Kozhikode found a place in the world history with the discovery of the sea route to India in 1498 by the Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama. The landing of Gama at Kapat near Kozhikode changed the political scenario of India, which ultimately ended with it's colonization by the British.Â

It remained under the Madras Presidency till the formation of Kerala in 1956 after independence.

Kozhikode district represents one of the most industrially advanced areas of the State, with many small-scale industries flourishing from early days. With the close of the 19th century, a number of large scale concerns sprang up in the district.

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District Informatics OfficerÂ

NIC Computer Cell

C/O District Collector/DMÂ

Kozhikode

Kerala

Some of the more important large and medium scale industries are textiles, rayons grade pulp, soap and cosmetics, oil, wheat flour, steel products, tiles, sea food processing, allopathic medicines etc.

The timber industry has great influence on the economy of this district. A feature of this industry is the concentration of units in and around Kallai. A large number of saw mills are located here. The finished timber goods are marketed locally and are also exported.Â

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As a corollary to the establishment of a saw mills, furniture making has also sprung up in the district. There are 1,031 registered forest based industrial units. All these units are concentrated at Kallai, Cheruvannur and Feroke area.

Another major industry is the tile industry. The first tile factory went on steam as early as 1874 in Puthiyara, Kozhikode, thanks to the endeavors of the Basel Mission Establishment. The tile factories are mostly concentrated at Feorke-Cheruvannur area, which is rich in quality clay deposits. The tiles form Kozhikode are famous all over the country and command an export market. There has also been diversification in this industry with the production of ceramics, pottery, crockery, stone ware pipes and insulation materials.Â

Among other important industries, mention may be made about textiles, plywoods, plints and veneers, coir, printing and publishing, general engineering, automobiles and oil.Â

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Agriculture is the main occupation of the people and it continues to be main economic activity of the district. The predominant crops of lowland and midland regions are coconut, paddy, tapioca, ginger, arecanut and pepper, while plantation crops like rubber, cocoa, coffee etc are dominant in the highland region.Â

Rubber, one of the most important plantation crops of the district, is grown in midland and highland regions where the soil and climate conditions are favorable. Pepper is the most important spice crop cultivated in the district. It is grown mainly in highland and midland regions and mostly the plantations are small.

Not much is known about the early history of Calicut. However a few prehistoric relics like rock cut caves were found in the district at many places. During the Sangam age, the district formed part of the Chera empire. It played a leading part in fostering trade relations between Kerala and outside world.

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The Udaiyavar of Ernad, whose headquarters was at Nediyiruppu wanted an outlet to the sea and after fighting with the Polatthiri King for 48 long years conquered the area around Ponniankara and build a fort at a place called
Velapuram. Thus the city of Calicut came into existence sometime in the 13th century AD.

Calicut became a mighty seaport, where the Arabs and the Chinese met to exchange the products of west with the east and vise versa. Religious tolerance, good administration, which gave security and impartiality to all and the friendly attitude of Zamorin to all traders, made Calicut the chief center of trade in Malabar region. Zamorin gave special concession to Arabs (the Moors) to carry out trade. Islam was also propagated here.Â

Vasco Da Gama arrived in 1498 and obtained permission to carry out trade from Calicut. The Arabs sensing the threat posed by Portuguese to their commercial supremacy, opposed the Europeans. Bitter fights started between Portuguese and Arabs.

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The Portuguese went to Cochin for trade and the Raja of Cochin had an alliance with the Portuguese with aim of attaining sovereignty from
Zamorin.

In 1615 Captain Keeling arrived in Calicut. They agreed to assist the zamorins in expelling the Portuguese. They faced stiff opposition from French and Dutch. In 1664, English Company opened factory in Calicut. The English East India Company faced serious competition from the French in North Malabar as elsewhere in India. In 1725, French captured Mayyazhi and the place was renamed as Mahe after the French Captain Bertrand Francois Mahe De Labourdonnais. The English who were at Tellichery wanted to capture Mahe but as per instructions from top bosses, they agreed for peaceful coexistence with the French. Apparently this was done to keep the price of pepper down in 1728.

After 1792, the British Governer General decided to bring Malabar Under the direct rule of company and accordingly two commissioners were sent to Calicut for negotiations with Zamoris. The English entered into an agreement with Zamorin to rule Calicut in exchange for an annual allowance. Thus Malabar came under the direct rule of British. In May 1800, Malabar district was transferred from Bombay province to the Madras province and the first Principle Collector, Major Macleod, took charge of the district. Revenue and judicial administration departments were set up.

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In the early 19th century, British faces rebellions against Malabar. Kerala Varma the Raja of Pazhassi, led a rebellion that shook the very foundation of British Rule during 1800-1805. However, the rebellion was put down and the Pazassi Raja was killed.

During the freedom struggle, the Malabar rebellion in 1921 was an important landmark in the history of Kerala. The Khilafat issue assumed importance due to the sizable population of Muslims in Malabar. Police tried to suppress the movement and this led to the Malabar rebellion, which lasted for about six months. One incident that need to be mentioned is the Wagon Tragedy. Police arrested Mappila rebels and transported them in a closed railway goods wagon. When the wagon was opened the inmates died of suffocation. The Wagon Tragedy is an illustration of the British barbarity in suppressing the Malabar rebellion. The rebellion was peaceful initially but the Mappilas resorted to forcible conversion and looting of Hindus later on. There was a period of lull in political activity in Malabar due to the congress decision to discontinue the Noncooperation movement. However, in 1928, the All Kerala Provincial Congress met at Payyannur under the presidency of Pandit Nehru and generated great enthusiasm among the masses. In 1930, Salt Satyagraha was held under the leadership of K. Kelappan. The satyagrahys marched from Calicut to
Payyannur.

In 1935, the Kerala provincial Congress committee met at Calicut and demanded the formation of a United Kerala State In 1936 elections to the Madras Provincial Legislature, Malabar elected congress candidates and one of its leaders Kongattil Raman Menon joined the Rajagopalachari Ministry. People of Malabar took active part in the Quit India Movement. A secret journal called Swatantra Bharatam' was published regularly.

After Independence, Kerala was formed in 1956 as a separate state for Malayalees and Calicut became an important city in the northern region. The district of Malabar was divided into Calicut, Palghat and Cannanore. In 1969, Malappuram district was curved out of Calicut and Palghat. In 1980, Wayanad district was formed combining some taluks of Cannanore and Calicut. Kasargode district became operational in the 90s. Thus the earlier Malabar district has been divided into six districts at present. Calicut continues to be the
most important place in the Malabar region. The name of the city has been restored to its original
name-Kozhikode recently.

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AG Enterprises

SP Singh

231/A, Chittranjan Avenue

Kolkata 700006

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Advance Management Systems Ltd

Sanjay Chhajer

1, Tilak Road, Behind Desapriyo Park

Kolkata 700029

Tel: 24639889/90

Fax: 24639891

E-mail: advance@cal.vsnl.net.in

Alco Infotech (P) Ltd

Pankaj Kedia

5, Princept Street

Near Bank of Rajasthan

Kolkata 700013

Tel: 22345578/79/80

Fax: 22345576

E-mail: alcoinfotech@yahoo.com

Allied Softs

Tridip Kothari

BB Ganguly Street

4th Floor, Suite No 403

Kolkata 700012

Tel: 22364973

Fax: 22364973

E-mail: allied@theoffice.net

Anupam Infotech

Anupam Kedia

113, Park Street

5th Floor, Block-B

Kolkata 700016

Tel: 22161204/05/28

Fax: 22161227

E-mail:anupam@anupam-infotech.com

Arihant Mercantiles

RK Bachhawat

Brabourne Court 1, Chandni Chawk Street

Kolkata 700072

Tel: 22218947/22367408

Fax: 22218861

E-mail:arihant@cal2.vsnl.net.in

Ashoka Information Systems

Vishnu Kant Holani

18, Netaji Subhas Road

3rd Floor

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22204055

Fax: 22436046

E-mail:holani@vsnl.com

AVO Electro Control Systems (P) Ltd

Vinod Agarwal

2 Debendra Dutta Lane

Kolkata 700007

Tel: 22395792

Fax: 22313217

E-mail:binoavo@satyam.net.in

Balaji Solutions Pvt Ltd

Rajendra Sekhsaria

Kamalalaya Centre, 156 A, Lenin Sarani

4th Floor, Room No 419

Kolkata 700013

Tel: 22257241/42

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Bard Roy Infotech Pvt Ltd

Pradeep Jhawar

37, Shakespeare Sarani, 4th Floor

Kolkata 700017

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Fax: 22809870

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Berlia Compu System

Sanjay Agarwal

P-3, New CIT Road, ETO Bldg, 4th Floor

Kolkata 700073

Tel: 22360450/0522

Fax: 22252121

E-mail:berlia@vsnl.com

Caltron

PL Suhasaria

34, Ganesh Chandra Avenue

Kolkata

Tel: 22365293/3915

Fax: 22363915

E-mail:caltron@cal2.vsnl.net.in

Chabria Infotech Pvt Ltd

Hemant Chabria

Suite No 88, 2nd Floor, 209

AJC Bose Road

Kolkata 700017

Tel: 22803375/76

Fax: 22810883

E-mail:chabria@vsnl.com

Channel Edge

Utpal Banerjee

10, Kalibari Lane, Ground Floor

Jadvpur

Kolkata 700032

Tel: 24148323

E-mail:ubanerjihea@hotmail.com

Compu Drive System

Sandip Golani

Saurab Apt, Flat-1A

54, Parnashee, Behala

Kolkata 700060

Tel: 24518363

E-mail:santapg@vsnl.com

Computek

Bajrang Churiwal

Â½, Lord Sinha Road

Kolkata 700071

Tel: 22821267/5197/6846

Fax: 22822768

E-mail:computekcal@vsnl.com

Computer Gallery

Praveen Pugalia

1, Chandni Chowk Street, Room No 6B

Ground Floor

Kolkata 700072

Tel: 22349808/9103

Fax: 22349104

E-mail:hi_micro@hotmail.com

Computer India

Rakesh Agarwal

26C, PK Tagore Street

Shop No 9, Ground Floor

Kolkata 700006

Tel: 25439760/61

Fax: 25439761

E-mail:computerindia@rediff.com

Computer India

HC Gupta

18D, Sukeus Lane, Ground Floor

Shop No 3 (on Brabourne Road)

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22100167/68

Fax: 22428938

E-mail:vishnu@computerindia.org

Computer Media

HC Gupta

14/2, Old China Bazar Street

Bikham Chand Market,Â

Ground Floor, Room No 75

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22101024

Fax: 22428938

E-mail:kamesh@computermediaindia.com

Computer Centre

Rajiv K Poddar

40E, Nimtola Ghat Street

Kolkata 700006

Tel: 25779617/6980

Fax: 25779617

E-mail:ups@smart-power.net

Computers & Networking

Pawan Kr Shroof

FMC Fortuna, 3rd Floor

Suite-B2, 234/3A, AJC Bose Road

Kolkata 700020

Tel: 22477720/22810424

Fax: 22477580

E-mail:pawanshroff@vsnl.net

Cyber Works

Raj Kr Agarwal

OM Tower, 7th Floor, 33Â

Chowringhee Road

Kolkata 700071

Tel: 22481910/2981

E-mail:fkc@cal.vsnl.net.in

Digital Data Systems

A Jalan

4/1, Middleton Street

304 & 305 Sikkim Commerce Hosue

Kolkata 700071

Tel: 22809837/8839/9934/6173/6174

Fax: 22806175

E-mail: dds@cal.vsnl.net.in & hitadds.ups@vsnl.com

Dinesh Enterprises Pvt Ltd

Rajesh Bhutoria

20, NS Road, Block-A, First Floor

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22102290/2291

Fax: 22107414

E-mail:vicom@cal.vsnl.net.in

Eastern Comnet Pvt Ltd

JK Baid

16, Ganesh Chandra Avenue

First Floor

Kolkata 700013

Tel: 22256162/68

Fax: 22373033

E-mail:eastern_comnet@vsnl.com

EDP Software Ltd

D Boral

216/2H, AJC Bose Road

Kolkata 700017

Tel: 22804302/22477147

Fax: 22408776

E-mail:edpcorp@vsnl.com

Major Resellers

Epoch Marketing Pvt Ltd

Champak Kundu

66, Salkia School Road

Howrah 711106

Tel: 26653636/9193/1551

Fax: 26653636

E-mail:epoch-electronics@vsnl.com

Fiji Electronics Pvt LTd

SK Banerjee

66/1, Netaji Subhas Road, Behala

Kolkata 700034

Tel: 24686756/0925

Fax: 24686756

E-mail:fiji@vsnl.com

Global Information Technology

Jamil Ahmad

27/B, Syed Amir Ali Avenue

Kolkata 700017

Tel: 22807108

Fax: 22811307

E-mail:git@vsnl.com

Hyson Computers Pvt Ltd

S Gupta

Y-18, Electronics Complex, Saltlake

Kolkata 700091

Tel: 23571751

Fax: 25377258

E-mail:soumitra@aforeserve.com

Imaging Solutions

25, Swallow Lane, Ground Floor

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22212194

Fax: 24799534

E-mail:recycling@rediffmail.com

Industrial Suppliers

VK Tolasariya

77 NS Road, Third Floor

Suite No 326

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22433813/2223

Fax: 22101439

E-mail:indsup@vsnl.net

Innovotech

Brahm Prakash

P-103, Princep Street

Kolkata 700072

Tel: 22349842/22346613/22377339

Fax: 22346614

E-mail:innovotech@vsnl.net

IT Planet

Deepak Mohta

11, Clive Row, Second Floor

Room No 11

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22429751

Fax: 22421915

E-mail:deepak@bestitworld.com

Jalan Infotech Pvt Ltd

Arun Kr Jalan

54/C, Hazra Road

Kolkata 700019

Tel: 24750137/2256

Fax: 24748797

E-mail:ajalan@jalan-infotech.com

Jupiter Infosys Ltd

Kamal patwari

30, Jadunath Dey Road

Fourth Floor

Kolkata 700012

Tel: 22373660/9410

Fax: 22258232

E-mail:info@jit-jupiter.com

Knowlage Consultants Pvt Ltd

Anand Gupta

50, Chowringhee Road

Air India Building, Ground Floor

Kolkata 700071

Tel: 22821966/68

Fax: 22431630

E-mail:anand@knowlage.com

Lalani Infotech Ltd

KL Lalani

'Landmark', First Floor

228A, AJC Bose Road

Kolkata 700020

Tel: 22408573

Fax: 22408573

E-mail:lalani@cal2.vsnl.net.in

LG Electronics India Pvt Ltd

S Bhattajaraya

1, Lee Road, Ground Floor

Kolkata 700020

Tel: 22805077/78

Fax: 22807577/78

E-mail:sbhattacharya@lgezbuy.com

Logica Systems

Gaurav Goel

19, RN Mukherjee Road

Eastern Building, First Floor

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22105481

Fax: 22106692

E-mail:logica1@satyam.net.in

Lotte Computers

Chandra P Shaw

32B, Ganesh Chandra Avenue

Kolkata 700013

Tel: 22347091

Fax: 22368998

E-mail:cpss@vsnl.com

Lunia Powerline Systems

Sunil Lunia

125, Netaji Subhas Road, Second Floor, Room No 20

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22311744/22301026

Fax: 22311374

E-mail:lunia@cal2.vsnl.net.in

MM International

M Gupta

14B, Camac Street

Kolkata 700017

Tel: 2240336/5153/8077

Fax: 22407712

E-mail:sales@lnsel.com

Macaws Infotech

Manasi Saha

BF-60 (Ground Floor) Salt Lake

Kolkata 700064

Tel: 23594147

Fax: 23582788

E-mail:macaws@vsnl.com

Makson Engineers

S Agarwal

24 & 26 Hemant Basu Sarani

G-3, Mangalam, Block-B

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22438756

Fax: 22433881

E-mail:makson@cal2.vsnl.net.in

MBT Infosys

Satish Toshniwal

23/1, Maharshi Debendra Road, Basement

Kolkata 700007

Tel: 22390941/22337351/8461

E-mail:mbtinfosys@vsnl.net

Mehta Impex

Virendra R Mehta

50, Chowringhee Road First Floor

Kolkata 700071

Tel: 22822927

Fax: 22829877

E-mail: mehta12@cal3.vsnl.net.in

Microtech Software

AK Khurana

116/1/1, Mahatma Gandhi Road

Madho Bhawan, First Floor

Kolkata 700007

Tel: 22190001/1666

Fax: 22194040

E-mail:ajaymic@cal.vsnl.net.in

Microcom

G Jayanth

8A, Maharaja Nandakumar Road

Kolkata 700029

Tel: 24645000

Fax: 24645000

E-mail:microcom@vsnl.com

Microtrack Business Systems Pvt Ltd

Vikash Tebriwal

1, Rawdon Street

Kolkata 700017

Tel: 22474058/1473

Fax: 22801853

E-mail:theweb@cal2.vsnl.net.in

New Millennium Infotech

Nirmal Kanodia

7/1, Sarat Bose Road

Kolkata 700020

Tel: 22873415/2597

Fax: 22873415

E-mail:nirmalkanodia@hotmail.com

Next Computing Pvt Ltd

Sanjay Choudhuri

58A, Shakespeare Sarani

Kolkata 700017

Tel: 22477167/22404858

Fax: 22409683

E-mail:tropica@vsnl.com

Nimbus Technologies

Neeraj Agarwal

Vidhan Mansion, 3rd Floor, 5, Moti Sil Street

Kolkata 700013

Tel: 22288127

Fax: 22289290

E-mail:nimbus@vsnl.com

Nucom Infotech Pvt Ltd

Sanjiv Ganeriwala

10, GC Avenue, Room No 11B (Second Floor)

Kolkata 700013

Tel: 22219033/24838750

Fax: 22219033

E-mail:nucom@vsnl.com

Odyssey Computers Services Pvt Ltd

Narendra Dhanuka

306, Mukti Chambers, 4, Clive Row

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22104209/4212

Fax: 22104212

E-mail:odyssey@vsnl.com

Ontrack Systems Ltd

B Hari

276B, Lake Gardens, Near Mohan Bhavan

Kolkata 700045

Tel: 24178434/35

Fax: 24221264

E-mail:ospl@vsnl.com

Opto Audio Electronic Products Pvt Ltd

Om Prakash Jalan

1/1, Sourin Roy Road

Kolkata 700034

Tel: 24687297/24584173

Fax: 24687297/24584173

E-mail:opto@cal.vsnl.net.in

Origin Infosys

Prakash Jain

22, Prafulla Sarkar Street

Third Floor, Room No 302

Kolkata 700072

Tel: 22345573

Fax: 22350732

E-mail:pjlpj@123india.com

Major Resellers

Imaging Solutions

25, Swallow Lane, Ground Floor

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22212194

Fax: 24799534

E-mail:recycling@rediffmail.com

Industrial Suppliers

VK Tolasariya

77 NS Road, Third Floor

Suite No 326

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22433813/2223

Fax: 22101439

E-mail:indsup@vsnl.net

Innovotech

Brahm Prakash

P-103, Princep Street

Trisita Corporation

Shiv Kr Modi

34A, Metcafe Street, First Floor

Kolkata 700013

Tel: 22348660

Fax: 22348663

E-mail:chanchaldas@hotmail.com

Vikas Computers Pvt Ltd

Sajjan Saraf

P-43, Rabindra Sarani

Kolkata 700001

Tel: 22253293

Fax: 2553294

E-mail: 9831012302

Vision Comtech

Ashis Kumar Paul

147 E, Sarat Bose Road, Second Floor

Kolkata 700026

Tel: 24630450

Fax: 24630450

E-mail:visioncomptech@vsnl.com

Vedanth

Sampath Kanodia

13, Broad Street

Kolkata 700019

Tel: 22405519/5520

Fax: 22405517

E-mail:computec@cal.vsnl.net.in

Kolkata 700072

Tel: 22349842/22346613/22377339

Fax: 22346614

E-mail:innovotech@vsnl.net