“Vasco Da Gama” – A significant name in Indian
history
Introduction
First
time the word “Kozhikode” i heard at my childhood, from an old radio which was
the only music system at home. Calicut was one of the main radio stations in
Kerala. So therefore, when the radio programme starts they announce the radio
stations name as Kayamkulam, Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode. Among these names
Thrissur and Kozhikode always attracted me. May be Kochi as my hometown it didn’t
attracted me. But, later on Thrissur became my home town during the year 2011
when I shifted my life to Irinjalakuda a small town in Thrissur. But, still my desire
to live at Kozhikode is far away.
Basis
of my desire
After
Muziris, Kozhkode became the historical gateway to India during 1498 AD when
Vasco da Gama landed in Kappad, near Calicut. This historical importance of Calicut
fascinated me from the childhood itself. But, later on the “Kozhikodan Aluva,
Middai Theruvu, Kozhikodan Biriyani (Dum Biriyani), Night Life at Kappad Beach,
Kozhikodan Kulukki Sarbath etc.” attracted me to this town.
One evening at Kozhikode
 |
| Kozhikode Beach |
Recently
I had a chance to spend an evening in this heritage city. On 27th May
2016, the previous day of dream journey to Coorg, I spend my evening at
Kozhikode. Actually Mr. Dijesh, (my partner & friend) is the reason behind
this journey and this beautiful evening. Dijesh has more experience in this
city, since he considers Kozhikode as his ‘second home’. He has completed his
law studies from Law College of Kozhikode and he too found his better-half from
this second home.
NCK
Tourist Home
 |
| Myself and Mr. Dijesh in-front NCK with security |
We have accommodated ourselves at NCK Tourist home is situated
beside Mavoor Road, Tazhekkod in Kozhikode. It is a budget lodge situated at a distance
of 3 km from Vellayil Railway Station and Ancia Beach. This tourist home has a
front desk facility. Housing a total of 50 spacious rooms, this 5 storey hotel
in Calicut offers basic in-room amenities like television, wardrobe, desk and
an attached bathroom with hot and cold running water. Near the tourist home there is Indian Coffee House
and Bank of India ATM. The lodge has good parking area with full time security.
After
our accommodation at NCK, we planned our dinner from outside. First we have
gone to the Beach Hotel at Kozhikode.
Beach
Hotel, Kozhikode
 |
| Beach Hotel, Kozhikode |
Located within the unspoiled beauty of the Calicut Beach, it
provides the ultimate in relaxation, romance and adventure. The Beach
Hotel has been patronised by the most discerning of National and International
Figures. Built in 1890 to house the Malabar English Club, It was taken over
from its British owners in the early 40 's. Today, much of the Vicotorian
architecture has been preserved. The few unobtrusive renovations have only added
to the overall comfort and beauty of the hotel. We had two bear from the parlor of the hotel. Then
we moved to Paragon Restaurant at Kozhikode.
Paragon
Hotel
 |
| Paragon Hotel, Kozhikode |
Paragon
Hotel provide very homely food especially verity of Malabar Cuisine. It is very
old restaurant and we must know its history.
History
of Paragon Hotel
Let's see the history from Wikipedia
In 1939, under the patronage and visionary leadership of
Govindan Panhikeyil, Paragon restaurant was started. Carrying forward this
baton, his son, P M Valsan ran the restaurant and was soon succeeded by his son
and the third generation of the management -
Sumesh Govind who has taken forward the brand 'Paragon' and expanded it
horizontally and vertically. In the initial years, the restaurant offered
authentic Moplah and Thiyya cuisine which are an integral part of Malabar
cuisine. Over time, the restaurant revolutionized
Malabar cuisine whilst staying true to its traditional roots and heritage. Its
success soon led to the creation of two new restaurants namely Salkara,
M-Grill, and one bakery, Brown Town, all situated in Calicut, India. Its
exalted status in India led to its launch in Dubai, United
Arab Emirates in 2005. In 2013, another branch was opened up in
another area of Dubai. Salkara was introduced in the Gulf region in 2008
My
desire was to have Kozhikodan Bririyani, but since it was night 10.30 PM, it
was completely finished. Then we took Kerala Puttu with Nadan Chiken Curry and
scud.
Night
Life, I experienced.
 |
| Road view in the night at Kozhikode |
The
night life of Kozhikode admired me a lot, even it was 10.30 pm the restaurant was
full of guests from various families. There were old and young ladies with small
children and even babies. They came with their whole families. We spend about
more than an hour in the restaurant and still the flaw of family in not reduced.
I have not seen such a night life in any other town in Kerala. I don’t know, whether
it is a natural phenomenon. But, later my friend explained and I have gone
through many blogs about the special life of Kozhikode.
Anyway
the verity of Kozhikode life is not going too explained here, because it is
vast subject and shall be dealt in other blog. Here my fascination about the arrival
of great “Vasco Da Gama”
Kozhikode
 |
| Kozhikode Beach |
Kozhikode
was once the capital of the powerful Zamorins and a prominent trade and
commerce centre. Kozhikode was the most important region of Malabar in the days
gone by. Today, lush green countrysides, serene beaches, historic sites,
wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly
ambience make Kozhikode a popular destination.
Let
starts with the narration about the origin of word “Kozhikode.”
The
etymology of Kozhikode goes as follows:
The
name Kozhikode derives, according to K.V. Krishna Ayyer, from ‘Koyil’ (Palace)
+ ‘Kota’ (Fort), meaning “Fortified Palace.” The place was also referred to as
Chullikkad, meaning “Shrubby Jungle,” probably referring to the marshy nature
of the land.
Linguistically,
‘Ya’ and ‘Zha’ are interchangeable in Malayalam and ‘kode’ stands for fort
(Kotta). While the city has been known by different names by people of other
lands, Malayalees have called it Kozhikode.
The
Arabs called it “Qaliqu”. The Tamil called the city “Kallikkottai” while for
the Chinese it was “Kalifo.”
The
word Calicut is thought to have been derived from a fine variety of hand-woven
cotton cloth that was exported from the port of Calicut.
Although
the city’s official name is Kozhikode, in English it is more commonly known by
its anglicized version. ‘Calicut.”
The
City consists of more number of Alleys than Roads so that it can be called C’alley-cut.
Kappad
Beach
For
the people of Kozhikode, this pleasant stretch of rock-studded beach is ‘Kappakkadavu’.
To the tourist it is one of the most charming of Kerala's beaches. “Kappad”
finds mention in history and geography texts as the gateway to the Malabar
Coast. Here, 501 years ago on 27th May 1498, 170 men led by the Portuguese
navigator Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) sailed in and stepped into Kerala to create
a new chapter in history; the story of a long and tumultuous socio-political
relationship between India and Europe.
To
the tourist, this little seafaring town is a haven. The best route to Kappad is
along the backwaters. Unspoilt and uncrowded, the picturesque backwaters of
Kozhikode offer a bewitching experience. A ride down the backwaters through the
Korappuzha river brings you to the beach.
On the rocks by the seashore, there is a small
monument commemorates the landing by Vasco da Gama, where you can read the
inscription "Vasco da Gama landed here, Kappakadavu, in the year 1498". In history texts, Kappad finds mention as the "Gateway to the Malabar Coast".
Reason
behind this landing
It
was the spices and wealth of Malabar that first brought the Arabs, the
Phoenicans, the Greeks, the Romans, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English
to Kerala. Kappad has witnessed many such landings. Kozhikode was then the most
important trade centre of the Malabar region and the Zamorins who ruled this
mighty land were powerful and shrewd. Though the Portuguese were welcomed in
Kozhikode they were not too well encouraged or entertained for long by the
Zamorins, which might be the reason they shifted their base to Kochi and Kollam
towards south.
Today
only a little stone monument is left at the Kappad beach to speak of its great
historic importance. On the rocks nearby is a temple believed to be 800 years
old.
Short
Biography of Da Gama
Vasco was
born at Sines, in Portugal, in 1469. He grew up the son of an important man,
Estevao da Gama, and learned the life of a sailor and soldier. He played an
important role in the defense of Portuguese colonies on the coast of Guinea,
and this brought him recognition from many people, including the Portuguese
king. Bartolomeu Dias had recently returned from his voyage around the Cape of
Good Hope, and the Portuguese crown wanted more. Though he was young, Vasco was
granted the honor of commanding the next great expedition, with the goal being
establishing a trade route to India by sailing around the southern tip of
Africa.
Significant
Journeys of Vasco Da Gama
The Portuguese nobleman Vasco da Gama
(1460-1524) sailed from Lisbon in 1497 on a mission to reach India and open a
sea route from Europe to the East. After sailing down the western coast of
Africa and rounding the Cape of Good Hope, his expedition made numerous stops
in Africa before reaching the trading post of Calicut, India, in May 1498. Da
Gama received a hero’s welcome back in Portugal, and was sent on a second
expedition to India in 1502, during which he brutally clashed with Muslim
traders in the region. Two decades later, da Gama again returned to India, this
time as Portuguese viceroy; he died there of an illness in late 1524.
Vasco da
Gama gained everlasting fame as the first European explorer to reach India. He
lived in an exciting time of exploration and fulfilled the promise begun by
several of his predecessors. He also realized the dream of the famed Prince
Henry the Navigator.
Motivation for Exploration
 |
| Kerala Spices |
Malabar was so rich during
that period. It was very famous for spices. The land was abundant in spices
like Pepper, Cardamom, Grampoo and Ivory. Naturally, lured by these rich
properties of Malabar, navigators from different parts of the world reached the
shore and built their establishments in and around Kozhikode for trade. The goal behind this exploration was to bring back spices and jewels. Portugal also wanted to be considered a
powerful nation. For many years, Portuguese sailors had sailed the high seas,
following in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus. Portugal was one of
Europe's leading countries in exploration, led for many years by Prince Henry
the Navigator, a very rich man who had a passion for broadening the boundaries
of the known world. Once Dias had returned, the table was set for someone else
to achieve even more greatness for Portugal.
Route map of sail
 |
| Route Map of Vasco Da Gama |
Vasco left
on July 8, 1497, with a fleet of four ships and a crew of 150 men. They made
their way around the tip of Africa, stopping at several ports along the way. On
December 16, they sailed past the stopping point of Dias, the furthest-known
area to Europeans. They also named the nearby coastline Natal (Christmas in Portuguese).
It is called that to this day. They sailed up the eastern coast of Africa and
then on to India, arriving in Calicut on May 20.
Return to Portugal
Da Gama
and his men stayed several weeks, negotiating with the local ruler on terms for
a trade agreement. Satisfied that he had it, da Gama left for home on October
5. He didn't exactly set any sea speed records on the way home, stopping at
several ports in Arabia and Africa to set up still more trade agreements and
then finally reaching Lisbon the following September. A huge reception awaited
him. He was famous with both the king and the people and was given the title
"Admiral of the Indian Ocean."
Please read the following link to know “50
interesting Facts about Calicut”
Reference
http://www.kozhikodeonline.in/city-guide/about-kozhikode
http://www.travelmarg.co.in/kozhikode.html
http://hubpages.com/travel/Kappad-Beach-The-Gateway-to-the-Malabar-Coast
http://hubpages.com/travel/Kappad-Beach-The-Gateway-to-the-Malabar-Coast
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