Government of Kerala INDSTRIAL POTENTIAL SURVEY 2017 KOZHIKODE DISTRICT DEPARTMENT INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE, KERALA Website: www.dic.kerala.gov.in, Email: [email protected] Industrial Potential Survey 2017 - Kozhikode Page 1 Industrial Potential Survey 2017 - Kozhikode Page 2 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT 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 present district with 4 taluks was formed in 2013. 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 important commercial and trading centre during post Sangam age. During the pre Portuguese period the Zamorin achieved the suzerainty over a large track of land and 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 Industrial Potential Survey 2017 - Kozhikode Page 3 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 the Portuguese 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 authority started. 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. PHYSICAL FEATURES Natural Region The natural region of the state is based on the regional classifications designed by the census organisation. According to the classification, the whole country is divided into 4 macro regions viz., (i) the northern mountains, (ii) the great plains, (iii) the deccan plateau and (iv) the coastal plains and islands. Kerala belongs to the 4th macro region – ‘The coastal plains and islands’, which is again divided into 4 meso regions. Of the 4 meso regions Kerala falls under the western coastal region which covers the coastal tract from Maharashtra to Industrial Potential Survey 2017 - Kozhikode Page 4 Kerala State. The meso region is further divided into 6 micro regions. The entire Kerala falls into such three micro regions viz., (i) North Kerala Coast, (ii) Central Kerala Coast and (iii) South Kerala Coast. The Kozhikode district falls in the North Kerala Coast. Each Micro region is further divided into Sub-micro regions on the basis of topography, geology, soils, climate and natural vegetation. Thus Kozhikode falls under three such Sub-micro regions viz. (i) Kozhikode Coast (ii) NadapuramMavur undulating plain and (iii) Kozhikode forested hills Location and size Kozhikode district is situated on the southwest coast of India. The district is bounded on the north by Thalasserry taluk of Kannur district, on the east by Mananthavady and Vythiri taluks of Wayanaddistrict, on the south by Ernad and Tirur taluks of Malappuram district and on the west by Lakshadweep Sea. This district lies between north latitude 11°7’22" and 11°48’32" and east longitudes 75°30' and 76°8’20". Area Kozhikode District has an area of about 2345 sq.km and ranks 9th in the state among the districts in area It accounts for 6.04 percentage of the total area of the State(38852 SqKms). Topography Topographically the district has three distinct regions – the sandy coastal belt, the rocky highlands formed by the hilly portion of the Western Ghats and laterite midland. All the three taluks of the district are spread over the three regions. Basking in the idyllic setting of serene Arabian Sea on the west and the proud peaks of the Wayanad hills on the east, this district is rich in natural scenery. In the north, sandy coastal strip of Vadakara and Quilandy taluks slopes upwards as one goes inland until it is lost in broken laterite hill rocks. Road communications along the coast are broken by a never ending sequence of backwater sand river mouth which provide the district with a cheap and unfairly network of waterways. The district has all the elements that fascinate a visitor. There is a natural harbour at Beypore. Industrial Potential Survey 2017 - Kozhikode Page 5 Physiography (i) Kozhikode Coast This region lies all along the coast of Kozhikode district dissecting all taluks of the district. It is bounded on the north by Kannur district, on the east by Nadapuram-Mavur undulating plains and on the west by Lakshadweep Sea. Rivers, backwaters, and canals drain the coastal tract and Kozhikode coast is generally lower than the Kannur coast. Some of the backwaters, canals and rivers are used for inland navigation. Marshy lands are found in pockets. Remanants of ancient sand dunes are also seen.The district has a coastal length of about 80 kms Coconut and tapioca are the major crops. This coastal tract is well served by the west coast railway line and network of roads. NH-17 pass through this region. All the towns of this district are located in this region amongst Kozhikode is the most important. Other important settlements are Vadakara, Quilandy, Feroke and Beypore. (ii) Nadapuram-Mavur Undulating Plain This region is hemmed between the Kozhikode coast and the Kozhikode Forested Hills. Its boundaries are Taliparamba-Kuthuparamba plain in the north, Kozhikode Forested Hills in the east, Malappuram Undulating Plain in the south and Kozhikode coast in the west. It is an undulating plain having hills here and there. Marshy lands in Waderi (east of Quilandy) are noticed. Ground water level is comparatively higher in southern region. Maximum height (244 m) is found at the village of Panangad and minimum height (122 m) in the Chekkiaddesam of Chekkiad village of Badagara Taluk. This region slopes towards west. All the rivers of this district pass through this region. In the southern portion of this region, subdued and isolated hills separated from the main mountain chain are found. The river course of Korapuzha and Beypore rivers are flowing meandering characters which implies that flood plains have attained a natural condition. Coconut, paddy and arecanut are the major crops grown here. All the important places of this region are well connected by roads. Nadapuram, Perambra and Koduvally are some of the Industrial Potential Survey 2017 - Kozhikode Page 6 important settlements here. Most of the settlements are found on either side of roads. (iii) Kozhikode Forested Hills This region forms the border of Wayanad and Kozhikode districts intersecting all the taluks of the district. Its boundaries are Kannoth Forested Hills in the north, Wayanad Forested Hills in the east, Nilambur Forested Hills in the south and Nadpuram-Mavur Undulating Plain in the west.