Kozhikode is a town on the cost in northern
Kerala, a South
Indian state. This is where, the foreigners first arrived in
India. Vasco Da Gama a
Portuguese trader came to the cost of
Kerala and then started the ever lasting relationship between
India and
Europe. Initially the
Portuguese were involved in the trade of spices. Spices from
Kerala became famous all over
Europe and
Europeans started pouring into the country. The
Dutch, the
English all came and the
English remained here.
Vasco Da Gama arrived in 1498 and then started the foreign trade followed by colonization. South India always enjoyed the safety provided by the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. Kozhikode was the capital of Malabar ruled by the king whose title was Samoothiri. He was a weak king compared to the kings in the South and foreign traders could easily overpower him. And thus started the era of colonisation and plundering by the foreigners especially the English.