Source:

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https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/zamorins-of-calicut-with-map-nah458/

ROUGH STORY-LINE/ SCRIPT

Calicut: The Hub of Trade and Diversity/
The Legacy of Kozhikode/
Khalbile Kozhikode/
Calicut Chronicles/
Calicut: The Spice of Life
[The stage is dimly lit. The backdrop shows an ancient Indian port-town scene with bustling
trade activity. A soft, traditional Indian melody plays in the background.]
Narrator (V.O.): Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, welcome to a mesmerizing journey
back in time, to the illustrious history of Calicut, a jewel of the Arabian Sea. In the annals of
maritime trade, Calicut stands as a beacon of prosperity and integrity. The Zamorins of
Calicut, known for their benevolence, welcomed traders from distant lands with open arms.
Legends abound, tales of honesty and trustworthiness & the values upheld by this noble
dynasty is truly worth a revisit.
Today, we embark on a journey through time, to honor the legacy of Calicut, a city that
thrived on the principles of integrity, hospitality, and trade.
Welcome to this enchanting play, where history comes alive, and the legacy of Calicut shines
bright.

[The stage darkens slightly as the music swells, and the play begins.]

The Chera Perumal's Court

[The stage is set to resemble the royal court of the Chera Perumal. The Chera Perumal sits on
his throne, surrounded by courtiers.]

Narrator: (Stepping forward) Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the court of the Chera
Perumal, where a tale of forgotten heroes unfolds.

Chera Perumal: (Addressing the audience) My trusted generals, Manichan and Vikraman,
have served our kingdom well. It is time for me to abdicate and pass the kingdom on.
[Manichan and Vikraman, dressed as generals, return to the court.]

Narrator: (Explaining) Manichan and Vikraman, the most trusted generals, return to the
court to find themselves forgotten.

Manichan: (Appealing) Your Majesty, we have fought valiantly for our kingdom, but we have
been overlooked in the transition.

Vikraman: (Asserting) We seek only a small piece of land, a token of your appreciation.

The Gifted Land

[The Chera Perumal grants them a small piece of land.]
Narrator: The Chera Perumal, with little left to give, grants Manichan and Vikraman a small
thicket of land, which would later be known as Koilkode.

Chera Perumal: (Handing over the land) Take this land, and with my sword, my broken prayer
conch, and this edict, you may conquer more if you wish.

The Birth of Koilkode

[Manichan and Vikraman, now as village leaders, oversee the transformation of the thicket
into Koilkode.]
Narrator: (Explaining) Manichan and Vikraman, with determination and vision, transform the
thicket into the thriving village of Koilkode.
Villager 1: (Working) We shall build a prosperous village in this gifted land.
Villager 2: (Planting) With the blessings of the Chera Perumal, Koilkode shall flourish.

The Rise of the Zamorin

Narrator: Koilkode thrived, and its rulers became known as the Zamorins, consolidating their
power and influence.

Zamorin: From a thicket to a thriving kingdom, Koilkode has risen. We are the Zamorins,
guardians of this land.

Dance performance
[The stage is filled with music as the villagers celebrate the legacy of Koilkode and the
Zamorin's rule. The characters join in a celebratory dance, and the musicians play a
triumphant tune.]
The Swaroopams' Era
[The stage represents the era of Swaroopams and their significance in the region.]
Narrator: (Stepping forward) Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to a time when the
Swaroopams defined the political landscape of Kerala.

Ruler of Nediyiruppu Swaroopam: (Addressing the audience) We are the Nediyiruppu

Swaroopam, and our destiny lies in our hands.

The Quest for a Port

[The stage transforms to depict the hilly region of Nediyiruppu.]
Narrator: (Explaining) The Nediyiruppu Swaroopam, nestled in a hilly region, realized that
expansion without a port was impossible.

Ruler of Nediyiruppu Swaroopam: (Determined) We must secure a port for our future.

Battle for Calicut

[Nair troops engage in a battle with Porlanad, ruled by the Porlathiri.]
Narrator: (Continuing) Around 1100 CE, the ruler of the Nediyiruppu Swaroopam and his
Nair troops engaged in a protracted battle to take control of the area around Calicut.

Porlathiri: (Defiant) We shall not yield our land!

Zamorin: (Triumphant) With determination, we have seized control of this strategic territory.

Allies Among Traders

[The Zamorin forges alliances with Muslim traders and the Moplahs.]
Narrator: (Describing) The Zamorin found willing allies among the Muslim trading
community and their progeny, the Moplahs, who had settled near the ports.

Muslim Trader: (Offering support) We shall stand with you, Zamorin, to build a prosperous
future.
Moplah: (Agreeing) Together, we can expand our territory and might.
Dance performance
Depicting moplah culture and tradition

Expansion and Authority

[The Zamorin expands his control over the Nila River mouth and Ponnani.]
Narrator: (Continuing) By the 13th CE, the Zamorin had established control over the mouth
of the Nila River and the port of Ponnani.

Zamorin: (Asserting authority) These ports shall be the pillars of our expanding realm.

The Mamankham Fair

[The Zamorin asserts his authority over the Mamankham Fair.]
Narrator: (Describing) The Zamorin further solidified his suzerainty by taking control of the
Mamankham Fair, confirming his authority over the region.

Neighboring Chief 1: (Resisting) The Mamankham Fair is ours!

Zamorin: (Decisive) It is time for a new era, where the Zamorin's authority prevails.

Prosperity and Unity

[The stage transforms to depict a prosperous Calicut with villagers celebrating.]
Narrator: (Closing) Calicut flourished under the Zamorin's rule, a testament to their vision
and determination.

Villager 1: (Proud) Our land thrives under the Zamorin's leadership.

Villager 2: (Grateful) Their legacy is one of unity and prosperity.

Dance performance
[music, dance performances representing the diverse culture of Calicut, and characters
celebrating the rich history and legacy of the Zamorins.]
[The stage is set to resemble the bustling marketplace of medieval Calicut. Traders from
various nations are seen engaging in trade and negotiations.]
Narrator: (Stepping forward) Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the vibrant world of
medieval Calicut, where the Zamorins ruled and prosperity reigned. This was a city known
for its spice and textile trade, a city where the rulers held great power and influence.

[King Zamorin enters and nods to various traders.]

King Zamorin: (Addressing the audience) Greetings to all who seek the riches of Calicut! Our
land is known for hospitality, tolerance, and patronage.

The Honest Merchant

[A scene featuring the Honest Merchant, who presents a jar of gold sovereigns to the
authorities.]
Narrator: (Explaining) Legend has it that one merchant, entrusting his gold sovereigns to the
authorities, kept them in a pickle jar. He did so to symbolize honesty, and it became a
testament to the integrity of Calicut's rulers.

Honest Merchant: (Proudly) I entrusted my wealth to Calicut's authorities, and they returned
it to me untouched. I shall continue to trade in this city, where honesty is esteemed.

Calicut's Transformation
[The stage represents Calicut's bustling marketplace. Villagers go about their daily activities.]
Narrator: let us see how Calicut evolved into a thriving trade hub with the aid of Arab
merchants.

Calicut Chief: (Addressing the audience) With the support of these Arab merchants, we shall
rebuild Calicut as our commercial capital.

Arrival of Arab Merchants

[Arab merchants arrive in Calicut, bringing their goods and expertise.]
Narrator: (Explaining) The Arab merchants, casting their lot with the new and powerful
Calicut chief, arrived with their wealth and knowledge.
Arab Merchant 1: (Displaying goods) We bring treasures from Arabia and beyond. Our
fortunes are now intertwined with Calicut's.

[Arab merchants establish themselves in Calicut and Ponnani.]

Narrator: (Continuing) They set up shop in Calicut and Ponnani, expanding their trade routes
and influence.

Arab Merchant 2: (Negotiating) Our presence here shall benefit both Calicut and our people.

[Calicut thrives, and the Arab merchants aid the chief in his military endeavors.]
Narrator: (Explaining) Calicut prospers, and the Arab merchants play a vital role in
supporting the chief's military campaigns.

Calicut Chief: (Grateful) Your assistance in our military endeavors is invaluable.

Courtier: (Announcing) Calicut now stands as a symbol of prosperity and trade in the region.
[The villagers, courtiers, and Arab merchants join in a celebration.]
Narrator: (Closing) As Calicut celebrates its newfound prosperity, let us witness the harmony
and unity that brought this city to such great heights.

Dance performance
[Musicians play a lively tune as dancers perform traditional dances, reflecting the cultural
exchange between the Arabs and the local community. The characters join in the
celebration,.]

Foreign Enclaves
[The stage shows the layout of Calicut, with foreign enclaves situated to the south-west of
the main fort.]
Narrator: (Explaining) Foreign enclaves, home to Arabs, Jews, Turks, and Chinese traders,
were strategically placed away from the main city, promoting cultural exchange and
commerce.
Arab Trader: (Trading goods) We come from distant lands to engage in trade and build
bridges of understanding.
Jewish Trader: (Exchanging goods) Calicut welcomes diversity and trade with open arms.
Flourishing Trade with Chinese
[Trade flourishes with the East, and Chinese treasure ships visit Calicut regularly.]
Narrator: (Continuing) Large Chinese markets are serviced from Calicut, and trade links with
locales in Cambodia and Indonesia expand.
Ibn Battuta: (Observing) Calicut is a bustling hub of commerce and cultural exchange. I am in
awe of its vibrancy.
[Calicut and Ming China engage in the exchange of emissaries.]
Narrator: (Closing) Calicut's influence reaches even Ming China, with the exchange of
emissaries strengthening diplomatic ties and trade.
Ming China Emissary: (Extending a hand) Let our friendship and trade continue to prosper.
Dance performance
[Musicians play a lively tune as dancers perform traditional dances, reflecting the cultural
exchange between the Chinese and the local community. The characters join in the
celebration,.]

The Golden Age of Calicut

[The city of Calicut continues to grow as the Zamorin's riches and influence expand.]
[Calicut during its "Golden Age," with traders from East and West.]
Narrator: (Continuing) As the Zamorin's wealth and power grew, Calicut expanded its
influence, reaching regions far and wide. The Zamorins of Calicut presided over a "Golden
Age" of the city, admired by traders from East and West.

Calicut Trader: (Enthusiastic) Calicut is a city of prosperity and diversity.

Zamorin: (Asserting authority) Our suzerainty now extends over vast regions, from Calicut to
Cochin.

Rise of Calicut as a Port

[Calicut becomes a prominent port, attracting traders from across the globe.]
Narrator: (Describing) Calicut's rise from a great port to a trans-shipment point for goods
from the Far East and spices from the East was swift and remarkable.
Chinese Trader: (Trading goods) We find Calicut to be a perfect hub for our trade with India.
Vasco da Gama's Arrival
[The stage represents the King of Portugal's court.]
Narrator: (Stepping forward) Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to a tale of exploration,
courage, and the quest for the spice trade.

King of Portugal: (Addressing the audience) Vasco da Gama, you are tasked with a
monumental journey to Calicut. Bring back the riches of the East.

Stranded at Malindi
[Da Gama, stranded at Malindi in Kenya, seeks a pilot to guide him to Calicut.]
Narrator: (Explaining) After circumnavigating the Cape of Good Hope, Vasco da Gama was
stranded at Malindi on the east coast of Africa.

Vasco da Gama: (Frustrated) I need a guide to lead me to Calicut.

Malemo Cana: (Offering help) I shall be your pilot. I know the way.

Arrival at Kappad
[The stage depicts Vasco da Gama's arrival at Kappad near Calicut.]
Narrator: (Describing) Vasco da Gama arrived at Kappad, near Calicut, in May 1498, marking
the discovery of the sea route from Europe to India.

Vasco da Gama: (Excited) We have reached our destination!

Dance performance
[Musicians play a lively tune as dancers perform Portuguese traditional dances, reflecting
their culture. The characters join in the celebration,.]

Meeting the Zamorin

[Da Gama meets the Zamorin, who proves to be a formidable figure.]
Narrator: (Continuing) Vasco da Gama met the Zamorin, realizing that the Zamorin was not
easily swayed by gifts. Witness the dramatic encounter between Vasco da Gama and the
formidable Zamorin of Calicut.
Vasco da Gama: (Frustrated) To be treated like a common trader after discovering the sea
route from Europe to India is an insult!

Narrator: (Explaining) The Zamorin controlled much of the international spice trade, and his
authority extended over a large part of present-day Kerala.

Zamorin: (Asserting) I, the Zamorin of Calicut, hold sway over the spice trade, and I will not
yield to foreign intruders.

The Age of Discovery

[The backdrop shifts to the "Age of Discovery" with cargo ships and navigators.]
Narrator: (Describing) This was the "Age of Discovery," and the Portuguese sought to control
the spice trade by reaching the Malabar coast.

Portuguese Sailor 1: (Determined) We will control the spice route!

Portuguese Sailor 2: (Confident) The riches of the East shall be ours!

The Rise of Marakkar Muslims

[The Marakkar Muslims emerge as formidable naval forces, joining the Zamorin.]
Narrator: (Explaining) The Zamorin strengthened his naval resources with the Marakkar
Muslims, who became a thorn in the Portuguese's side.

Marakkar Muslim 1: (Resolute) We shall stand by the Zamorin's side and protect our trade.

[The Marakkar Muslims engage in numerous sea battles against the Portuguese.]
Narrator: (Describing) The Marakkar Muslims, with Arab and Turk support, continued to
engage in sea battles against the Portuguese, challenging their dominance.

Dance performance
[Musicians play a lively tune as dancers perform traditional dances, reflecting the Marakkar
muslim culture and art form. The characters join in the celebration,.]

Portuguese Attack on Calicut

[The Portuguese, led by Admiral Afonso de Albuquerque, attempt to attack and subdue
Calicut.]
Narrator: (Describing) In 1510 CE, the Portuguese attempted to attack Calicut while the
Zamorin was away, leading to a fierce battle.

Admiral Albuquerque: (Determined) We shall not yield to the Zamorin's resistance!

[The Portuguese face off against the Zamorins, with naval fleets and hit-and-run tactics.]
Narrator: (Describing) The Portuguese faced fierce resistance from the Zamorins, who fought
to protect their land.

Indian Trader: (Defending) We will not let foreign powers seize our territory!

Zamorin's Admiral: (Commanding) Our nimble naval fleet will not yield!

Narrator: (Continuing) The Portuguese, drained by battles, retreated and decided to

establish their rule in Goa, creating a monopoly over trade.

Celebratory dance performance

Zamorin's Alliance with Portuguese Friars

[The Zamorin meets Portuguese friars and seeks peace.]
Narrator: (Closing) The Zamorin, influenced by Portuguese friars, sought peace with the
Portuguese and allowed them to erect churches.

Father Francis Acosta: (Peacemaking) Let us work towards peace and understanding.

The Capture of Marakkar Kunjali IV

[The Portuguese capture Marakkar Kunjali IV.]

Narrator: (Concluding) The Zamorin's alliance with the Portuguese led to the capture and
death of the valiant Marakkar Kunjali IV.

[The play concludes with music, dance performances, and characters reflecting on the
complex history and alliances of the time.]

Hyder Ali's Military Help

[The Palakkad Raja seeks military assistance from Hyder Ali.]
Narrator: (Describing) The Palakkad Raja seeks help from Hyder Ali of Mysore, leading to a
military alliance.

Palakkad Raja: (Desperate) We need your assistance to fend off the Zamorin.

Hyder Ali: (Assuring) I shall come to your aid.

Mysore's Subjugation of Malabar

[Hyder Ali's forces subdue the Malabar armies, leading to a crisis for the Zamorin.]
Narrator: (Continuing) Hyder Ali's cavalry and arsenal overwhelm the Malabar armies in
1764 CE.

Zamorin of Calicut: (In despair) We are defeated.

The Fiery End

[The Zamorin sets his palace in Calicut on fire.]
Narrator: (Describing) In 1766 CE, the Zamorin, facing defeat, sets his palace in Calicut on
fire.

Younger Zamorin Prince 1: (Determined) We shall not surrender!

Tipu Sultan's Ambitions

[Tipu Sultan continues the conflict against the Zamorin and the British.]
Narrator: (Continuing) Tipu Sultan takes over from Hyder Ali and continues his ambitions,
including conquering Travancore.

[Tipu Sultan loses the war against the British, conceding all territories, including Malabar.]
Narrator: (Concluding) Tipu Sultan concedes defeat to the British in 1792 CE, leading to the
end of the Zamorin's rule in Malabar.

The Zamorins' Patronage

[The stage represents a scholarly gathering in historical Calicut.]
Narrator: (Stepping forward) As our story comes to an end, let us reflect on the legacy of the
Zamorins.
Scholar: (Proudly) The Zamorins were great patrons of art, literature, and culture.

Artists: (Performing a traditional dance) Their patronage gave birth to art forms like
Krishnattam and enriched our heritage.

[The stage showcases a scholarly event with literary competitions.]

Narrator: (Describing) The annual Revathi Pattathanam celebrated knowledge and
scholarship.

Zamorin: (Addressing the scholars) Let wisdom flourish in our land.

Residents of Calicut: (Singing) We honor our heritage and culture.

Calicut Today
[The stage transitions to modern Calicut.]
Narrator: (Transitioning) Today, Calicut may have no palaces, but it carries the spirit of the
Zamorins.

Old-Timer: (Reflecting) I remember the history, the Marakkars, and the Chinese traders.

Communal Harmony
[The stage portrays the multicultural and harmonious nature of Calicut.]
Narrator: (Concluding) Calicut is a city of communal amity, where people of all backgrounds
thrive and prosper together.

Residents of Calicut: (Celebrating) Together we stand, united in diversity.

[The play concludes with music, dance performances, and characters embracing the rich
history and harmonious spirit of Calicut.]

Story source: https://www.peepultree.world/livehistoryindia/story/eras/zamorins-of-calicut)

For a man who discovered the sea route from Europe to India, being treated like a common
trader was an insult he couldn't take lightly. The year was 1498 CE and Vasco da Gama had just
landed in Calicut on the west coast of India, a land he was determined to exploit for all the
pepper, or ‘black gold’, it could yield. After decades spent by so many trying to sail to the ‘land of
spices’, and the many lives lost and ships wrecked in this pursuit, to be asked to pay for goods in
gold and silver plus applicable customs duties? Really!

But the man calling the shots in Calicut was not to be trifled with either. He was the Zamorin of
Calicut. The Zamorin controlled much of the international sea trade in spices, as they were
shipped from the great port of Calicut to the Middle East, via trade routes in the Indian Ocean.
The Zamorin, who had built Calicut from a minor port into a great entrepot, lorded over a large
part of present-day Kerala.

This famous encounter between the Zamorin and Vasco da Gama took place during the ‘Age of
Discovery’, when European explorers and navigators were discovering new lands to colonise and
plunder for their wealth. Cargo ships had been crisscrossing the Arabian Sea as part of an age-
old Indian Ocean trade network, and the Portuguese were determined to muscle in on the spice
trade that had been thriving in these parts. The idea was to eventually control the ‘spice route’
and this hinged on reaching the Malabar coast in India.

It wasn’t going to be easy, and although the Portuguese did succeed, it took them a century to
gain control over the spice trade. Their greatest obstacle always were the powerful rulers of
Calicut, the Zamorins, who controlled many ports on the Malabar coast and who would not give
up the land they had nurtured and developed, without a fierce fight.

The 14th to 16th century CE period was the ‘Golden Age of Calicut’, a city built by the Zamorins
and the seat of a dynasty that eventually ruled the region for close to 500 hundred years. It was a
city envied by visitors and traders from both the East and the West, and it flourished due to a
smart economic strategy and liberal social policies adopted by the Zamorins, who also
commanded a nimble naval fleet headed by seamen famed for their hit and run guerrilla tactics.
But with the advent of British rule in India, these suzerains of Malabar faded from public
memory, leaving nothing but a few palmyra scrolls and mentions in a few travelogues extolling
them and their reign. Today, except for history buffs, few in modern India even remember this
dynasty, but the saga of the rise and fall of the Zamorins of Calicut is a story that deserves to be
told.

The House of the Zamorins

The Zamorin’s ruling dynasty which was titled the Nediyirippu Swaroopam hailed from a place
called Nediyirippu in Eranad, a locale which is part of the present-day district of Malappuram, in
Kerala. Their origin story is narrated in a 17th CE text called Keralolpathi, the earliest known
account of the history of the Malabar region. The text, largely a collection of myths and legends
mixed with historical events, mentions the advent of two brothers Manichan and Vikraman from
Eranadu, who were the most trusted generals in the army of the Chera dynasty that then ruled
the region. When the Chera Perumal decided to abdicate, the brothers were not around and so
did not originally bequeath any land to them. These young men upon their return reminded the
Perumal that they had been forgotten in the process. With little left, the Perumal gifted a small
area of land, then no more than a thicket of shrubs to the brothers, which would later be known
as Koilkode (Kallikut or Calicut). He also gave them his sword, his broken prayer conch and an
edict that they could conquer more territory if they wanted to.
Beyond the Keralolpathi, the historical origins of the House of Zamorins can be traced to the
concept of larger independent dynasties or political houses called ‘Swaroopams’, which were in
vogue following the fall of the Chera dynasty in the 12th CE. The Zamorins as aforementioned,
emerged from the ‘Nediyiruppu Swaroopam’, named after Nediyiruppu in present-day
Malappuram district. Some of the other major swaroopams were Kolathunad (general area
between Calicut and Payyanur), Perumbadappu (Cochin, now Kochi) and Thripappur
(Travancore, the general area between Kochi and Cape Comorin).
The Nediyiruppu Swaroopam was ensconced in a hilly region and the ruling family realized that
without a port, expansion would be impossible. It is believed that around 1100 CE, the ruler of
the Nediyiruppu Swaroopam and his Nair troops attacked Porlanad (the small principality
around today’s Calicut and ruled by the Porlathiri) to the north of the Kallayi River and after a
protracted battle took control of the area around today’s Calicut. In time, the ruler of the
Nediyiruppu Swaroopam, later termed the Zamorin, found willing allies among the Muslim
trading community and their progeny the Moplahs, who had settled near the ports. Together
with his expanding Nair army, the Moplahs and Muslim traders, he decided to increase his
territory and might. By the 13th CE, the Zamorin had established control over the mouth of the
Nila River (today’s Bharatapuzha) and the port of Ponnani (80 km south of Calicut), which later
became his political headquarters. Next, he assumed control over the Mamankham, a medieval
trade fair (somewhat analogous to the Kumbha Mela in North India) by usurping the authority of
the neighbouring chiefs. This event confirmed the suzerainty of the Zamorin over the region
between Calicut and Palghat and gave him control of lands and agricultural riches on either side
of the Nila River, as well as complete authority along the route to Palghat (present-day
Palakkad).

Calicut quickly grew to house a large merchant population of Arab origin, who cast their lot with
the new and powerful Calicut chief. Aiding him in his military endeavors, they established
themselves in Calicut and Ponnani and expanded their trade with Arabia and beyond. The
benevolent ruler rebuilt Calicut as his commercial capital, and split his time between the
Thrikkavil Kovilakom in Ponnani, and his many kovilakoms or palaces in Calicut, when not on
the road, fighting wars.

The Making of Calicut

The city of Calicut, built to a concentric square plan, was developed according to the principles of
traditional Vastu Sastra. The big bazaar or palayam and the surrounding area comprised the
early city, and the plan resembled that of the ancient Chola capital Kaveripumpattinam. It was
built on a twin foci principle, to accommodate foreigners away from the main city. The foreign
enclaves were situated to the south-west of the main fort, an area which was home to not only
Arabs, Jews and Turks, but also Chinese traders. The city was probably built between the 13th
and 14th CE, as the Zamorin’s riches grew and his army fanned South and East, wresting control
over Valluvanad, Nedunganad, Trichur and even parts of Palakkad. By this time, the Zamorins
had established suzerainty over the vast regions between Calicut and Cochin of present-day
Kerala. The ancient port of Muziris, once a paramount port of overseas trade located 140 km
south of Calicut, had become unusable, presumably due to silting of the mouth of the Periyar
River in 1340 CE. Seeking better avenues and facilities and as the power and reputation of the
Zamorin grew, traders moved to his domains, which promoted free trade and security. They
flocked to the fast-growing port of Calicut, which soon became one of the principal ports on the
west coast of India. Calicut further grew from a great port to a trans-shipment point for goods
from the Far East as well as other spices from the East such as cloves, cinnamon etc. Thus, Arabs
who serviced European markets, had only to sail to Calicut to procure pepper and ginger from
Malabar, beads, jewellery, cotton and linen from the Tamilakam, cinnamon and cloves from the
East, silks and porcelain from China, etc. to name a few of the trade commodities. Trade also
flourished with the East. Large Chinese markets were serviced out of Calicut and trade links
with locales in today’s Cambodia and Indonesia increased, which is clear from the writings of
Arab scribes and Chinese records. Regular visits by large Chinese treasure ships to Calicut were
commonplace as witnessed by the great Moroccan traveller, Ibn Battuta, who was in Calicut
around 1341 CE. There was also a formal exchange of emissaries between Ming China and
Calicut. After the Zamorin assumed authority over the Mamankham fair at Tirunavaya and
established himself as the principal suzerain of the region, he became known as the ‘Swami
Thirumalpad’, which was shortened to ‘Samoothiripad’ or ‘Samuthiri’. This was presumably
Anglicised to the popular usage, ‘Zamorin’.

The Tide Begins to Turn

The Zamorins led relatively austere lives and followed a clear-cut hierarchy through a
matrilineal system. The eldest member of the Zamorin kovilakom (large family residence akin to
a palace) assumed the position when the previous Zamorin passed away. Positions under him
such as the Eralpad (second in line), Munalpad (third in line) and so on, followed a standard
arrangement, and there have never been any reported instances of deceit or attempts to topple
the order. The greatest rivals of the Zamorins of Calicut were the Rajas of Cochin. Old enemies of
the Zamorins who had ousted them from their original lands, this family had established itself in
a new place called Cochin, which now possessed a large natural harbour. This new port too
gained popularity, and with an increased demand for spices, the city of Cochin grew in power
during the same time that Calicut was prospering. The Cochin Raja’s feud with the Zamorin was
protracted, and battles erupted every now and then, destroying the peace in the region. This
perpetual feud between the Calicut and Cochin royals not only drained their respective
treasuries, but they also failed to notice that eyes were being cast on their resources and wealth
by nations beyond the seas. By the 15th CE, profit margins were shrinking rapidly at the
Venetian markets, and European traders considered dispensing with middlemen, in this case,
the Arab trader sponsored by the Egyptian Mamluk sultanate. Not only was the Arab hated for
his price policy but also because he was the ‘enemy’, what with the crusades underway in Europe,
where Christians were pitted against Muslims. The Arabs, who controlled the seas and the sea
routes as well as many trading ports, had been partnering with Venetian traders. Historically,
the produce and exports from Calicut found their way to the ports in the Red Sea and Persian
Gulf on dhows sailing across the Arabian Sea. From these ports, the goods were transported
overland to the port of Alexandria, using tedious camel caravans. From Alexandria, they
travelled to Venetian ports and eventually to consumers in Europe.

Meanwhile, in Calicut, the Arabs were finding it increasingly difficult to share space with the
Chinese. It was the early 15th CE and Admiral Zheng He, the great Chinese naval explorer, had
commanded seven expeditions for China’s Ming Dynasty, to expand China’s maritime and
commercial influence in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea. The Chinese Admiral, who died
in Calicut in 1433 CE, ventured as far as Arabia and beyond and was perhaps considered a
threat to take over the sea routes in the region. This posed a direct challenge to the Arabs, who
had ruled these waters for centuries. Out in Calicut, the Arabs were finding the sharing of space
with the Chinese, difficult. Whether it was because Admiral Zheng He ventured out directly to
Arabia and beyond, threatening to take over their sea routes or if it was something else is not
clear, but it appears (as mentioned by Joseph the Indian circa 1500 during his sojourn to Europe)
the Chinese traders and community at Calicut were ousted violently in the late 15th century CE
by the Arabs and they left Calicut, destined to the Eastern Tamil shores.

Vasco da Gama Arrives in Calicut

This was the lay of the land when the King of Portugal asked Vasco da Gama to sail to Calicut
and make contact with the Zamorin. Stranded at Malindi in Kenya, on the east coast of Africa,
after circumnavigating the Cape of Good Hope, da Gama was in a quandary till he chanced upon
a Gujarati seafarer called Malemo Cana, who agreed to pilot him to Calicut. And thus, Vasco da
Gama arrived at Kappad or Pantalayani near Calicut, in May 1498, laying bare the sea route
from Europe to Calicut. Da Gama went on to meet the Zamorin, who he realized was not one to
be swayed by trinkets and other gifts. Although he made no headway in his quest for a monopoly
over the pepper trade, he alarmed the Arab traders of Calicut, who sensed big trouble in store.
Da Gama returned to Lisbon and, over the years, the Portuguese King sent him and other
explorers such as Pedro Alvares Cabral on more voyages to take over the spice trade from the
Arabs of Calicut. These journeys resulted only in needless violence, the bombarding of Calicut,
the chance discovery of Brazil, and a complete alienation of the Portuguese with the Zamorins of
Calicut.

The Portuguese did gain one advantage, though. They had established a good rapport with the
enemies of the Zamorin, i.e. the Kolathunad King and the Cochin King. Forts and factories were
built in Cochin and Cannanore (present-day Kannur) to acquire spices, but this was not enough –
the Portuguese wanted total monopoly over trade and the seas. The Zamorin, for his part,
strengthened his naval resources and it led to the entry of the Marakkar Muslims into the
Calicut tapestry. Historically, rice imports for Calicut came from the Eastern Tamil and Kalinga
areas, as well as countries in the Far East. The seamen who ventured to bring in the produce and
rice from these areas were the Marakkars. Many of the more prosperous Marakkar families had
initially settled in Cochin as traders, but continuous tussles with the Portuguese made them
move to Calicut. Here, with Arab and Turk support, they further built and consolidated the
Zamorin’s naval forces.

Then, in 1510 CE, the Portuguese attempted to attack and subdue Calicut while the Zamorin
was away. The attack was led by admiral Afonso de Albuquerque, the second Viceroy and first
Governor of Goa (1509-15 CE). The attempt ended in disaster and an injured Albuquerque
retreated, just barely. Since these battles were draining their coffers, the Portuguese decided to
avoid Calicut and move north to take over and settle in today’s Goa. The Portuguese ruled over
their ‘Estado da India’ from Goa, blockading the seas to create a monopoly and disallow Arab
traders from shipping goods directly to Arabia. The Zamorin’s Marakkars built a fleet of small
boats in cooperation with the Arab traders and engaged in many sea battles, supported often by
their sponsors in Egypt and, in a couple of instances, the Ottoman Turkish Sultan. These boats
frequently attacked Portuguese ships and were a worry for the Portuguese. Friction continued
and there were sea battles galore, with the Marakkars remaining a thorn in the Portuguese
flesh. Matters were getting complex at Calicut as well when the reigning Zamorin was
apparently influenced by a couple of Portuguese friars. In 1597 the Zamorin met a Portuguese
Padre named Francis Acosta purely by chance. As the story goes, a Father who had been
administering to the soldiers in a Portuguese ship which had been captured by the Kunjali’s
paros (small ships), was made prisoner and turned over to the Zamorin. He obviously made a
good impression on the Zamorin and influenced him not only in seeking peace with the
Portuguese, but also allowed the Portuguese to erect churches. It is also said that the Marakkar
Kunjali IV was getting a bit arrogant after many sea victories. Whether it was the influence of
the Padres or a growing disaffection between the Marakkars and the Zamorin which led to their
falling out is not clear, but the Zamorin supported the Portuguese in capturing Kunhali at the
latter’s fort after which the valiant admiral was put to death by the Portuguese in Goa. The
Portuguese established a church in Calicut around 1605 after signing a peace treaty with the
new Zamorin. They had finally achieved what they had set out to do – find a foothold in Calicut –
but it was an uneasy alliance, at best. Moreover, things soon changed for the Portuguese, when
the Cochin Raja extended a hand of friendship to the Dutch East India Company in 1662. The
Dutch also established a base in Cochin and larger factories in Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka)
and Indonesia. Just as he was with the Portuguese, the Zamorin was at loggerheads with the
Dutch as well, since the Dutch supported the Cochin Rajas at times, in their wars with the
Zamorin. Travancore too became a wary Dutch trading partner and the Zamorin was slowly
finding himself alienated, what with distrust building between him and his one-time allies, the
Moplahs (Kerala’s Arab descendants), as well as a depleting treasury. But the Dutch remained
aloof and kept to trade deals and agreements with the Zamorin, staying at arm’s length.

The Fall of the Zamorins

Time was running out for the house of the Zamorins as the 18th CE dawned. The Zamorin was
left without a male heir through the maternal line, and a new line was created through adoptions
from a Zamorin family connection at Neeleswaram (about 150 KM North of Calicut, in
Kasargode). It was at this juncture that a Zamorin conquest of Naduvattom (an area in
Palakkad) forced the Palakkad Raja to seek military help from Hyder Ali of Mysore. Hyder Ali,
with his cavalry and arsenal, subdued the Malabar armies in 1764 CE, and the Zamorin offered
to withdraw and pay the Mysore Raja a ransom. When he did not deliver on his promise, Hyder
Ali’s forces attacked again in 1766 CE and the vanquished Zamorin set himself and his Calicut
palace on fire. The House of Calicut, over 400 years old by now, thus met a fiery end in 1766 CE.
The younger princes of the Zamorin family fought Hyder Ali and later his son Tipu Sultan but
they too were defeated by the Mysore armies. The princes had no choice but to negotiate small
pensions from the Mysore rulers, who had usurped the Zamorin’s territory after his defeat. The
British East India Company (EIC), which had remained as traders in the Malabar and
Tellichery, supported the Zamorin princes on the sly. Hyder Ali passed on and Tipu took over,
and he was pitted against the Travancore rulers and later the English. The Zamorin’s families,
especially the older men and almost all women, fled to Travancore, allegedly with their
treasures. With his eye on their treasure, apparently exchanged for their asylum, Tipu attempted
to conquer Travancore but failed. Tipu eventually lost his war against the British and conceded
all his territories to them in 1792 CE, including Malabar. Under the East India Company,
Malabar first became a part of the Bombay EIC administration and later Madras. The Zamorin
families in exile returned and resettled in British-administered Calicut around 1800 CE, with
lowly pensions and some tax collection responsibilities. But the House of the Zamorins had
already been reduced to a travesty. All the old power and authority was gone as was their
ownership of vast swathes of land. The British, however, continued to support the institution of a
Zamorin, albeit a titular one. Monsoon winds and sailing ships gave way to large, ocean-going
steamers, and as the modern Cochin port was built, the fortunes of Calicut declined rapidly. The
Zamorin families settled down to a lifestyle not very different from ordinary folk, and they
became administrators and mid-level officers in the British government. The pomp and the fame
of Calicut were forgotten. And so, the fortunes of Calicut ebbed and flowed, with the Zamorins
taking it to dizzying heights and down to what British travellers in the 19th century called “a
sleepy little town, a shadow of the great entrepot it once was”. But the Zamorins were not just
warring chiefs, they were great patrons of art, promoting art forms such as the Krishnattam (a
temple dance-drama based on the life of Lord Krishna), literature, Vedic learning and Sanskrit
as well as scholarly events such as the Revathi Pattathanam – an annual assembly of scholars
where literary competitions took place and selected scholars received titles and prize money. The
Temple of Guruvayur, in the Thrissur district of Kerala, is perhaps the last major institution
which is still connected to the Zamorin and his patronage. Calicut still has a Zamorin, and when
a Zamorin moves on, a new one takes his place, under the same old rules.

When you visit Calicut today, you will find no palaces but you may chance upon on an old-timer
who still remembers its history, the Marakkars and the Chinese. You will also notice the
communal amity in this multicultural city. That was always its foundation, a city for people of all
religions and communities, who could live without fear of persecution, where one could thrive
and prosper.

Source:
https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/zamorins-of-calicut-with-map-
nah458/
Book:
The Zamorins of Calicut
AUTHOR: K.V. KRISHNA AYYAR
The story of the Zamorins is of peculiar interest to all Europeans who have
known malabar: both because of the part those rulers played for Centuries in
that impact of the west on the east which has developed in to the politics of our
own day, and also for a more personal reason. We foreginers who have lived and
worked in Kerala hold ourselves to be singularly fortunate: what ever else India
may come to mean for us, we remember with gratitude and affection the country
and people whose civilisation is bound up with the dynasty of the Zamorins.

Foreword
Calicut, one of the prominent medieval port-towns of India, was an international
trade emporium in spices and textiles. The rulers of its Kingdom enjoyed much
prosperity of its maritime trade links and consolidated considerable political
authority and power throughout the middle ages in the history of Kerala. The
advent of the Portuguese to this port-town was mainly due to this reputation
that it had in the orient. The Zamorins of Calicut, its rulers, were known for
their hospitality, religious tolerance and patronage. Naturally, this ruling house
became popular among the trading nations, particularly the Arabs, Abyssinians
and Egyptians. A legend had been spread that one merchant kept his gold
sovereigns in a jar and pretended that it was of pickle and kept it with the
authorities of Calicut. He got back the same jar containing the sovereigns and
thus he wanted to do his trade in this city, a symbol of honesty. Whatever may
be the element of truth in this legend, it highlighted the fact that honesty was
the best policy as envisaged by the ruling dynasty of this city.

The history of this ruling house had been the history of maritime trade with the
Arabs and other trading nationalities. With an obscure origin, this house after
the fall of the later Cheras of Mahodayapuram rose to political power and
counteracted the Portuguese expansion on the coast in the 16th century. Its
navy, the pioneering one under the command of Kunhali Marakkars, recorded
many heroic chapters in the history of naval encounters in the Arabian Sea for a
century. The Marakkars also realized first time the significance of freedom of the
Indian Ocean and kept vigilance against its occupation by the enemies.

The independence of this medieval kingdom was lost at the time of Mysorean
invasion and it was forced to reckon with a tributary system under the Sultans of
Mysore. The political settlements which they made with the English East India
Company in 1792 at Srirangapattanam finally determined the destiny of Calicut.
As an irony of history, the country which had fought for hundred years against
the Portuguese expansion was compelled to yield to the authority of the English
East India Company without even a single shot of the gun.

Calicut, with its declining position in the Asiatic trade, became the district
headquarters of the British administration. The ruling house received a pension
or malikhan from the British as in the case of other ruling houses, remained as a
landowing house and authority in Hindu religious affairs. The famous temples
like Guruvayur came under the authority of this house.

Prof. K. V Krishna Ayyar, as a teacher of history and a researcher, more

familiarised in the palace accounts and other sources of the Zamorins had
brought out an authoritative historical account of this house in 1938. When the
500 years of Vasco da Gama was celebrated all over the world as a historical
event and as a matter of superiority of the whiteman, more interest has been
concentrated in the history of the Zamorins also who had resisted the Portuguese
expansion in Malabar over a period of a century. Thus the historical account of
this house is a topic of great academic interest for students and researchers.

However the publication of this major work was sold out before decades and a
second one was due for a long time. Now this responsibility of its re-publication
has been taken up by the University of Calicut, particularly in honour of the
60th session of the Indian History Congress held in this University during the
last days of the departing 20th century. The authorities of the University of
Calicut express their sincere gratitude to His Highness Sri Ettanunni Rajah, the
present Rajah of the House of Zamorins, for his patronage extended to this
publication.

Introduction
The student of history knows the Zamorin as the Lord of the Kingdom where
Vasco da Gama made his historic landing in A.D. 1498. The Zamorin's claim to
an abiding place in the annals of his country does not, however, depend on this
accident alone. For nearly nine hundred and fifty years. if not more, from at the
latest A.D 826 to 1766, he was the central figure in Kerala. For eight centuries
he was the recognised Rakshapurusha or Protector of the Mamakam, the great
national festival, held once in twelve years, at which the peoples and princes of
Kerala offered homage and fealty to him. To him the people of Kerala owe the
preservation and development of their arts and culture: in him literature and
philosophy had a generous and discriminating patron.

The history of the Zamorins as rulers may be divided into two parts, the arrival
of Vasco da Gama from Europe marking off the one from the other. The first part
rests mainly upon well-established and recorded tradition. As the sources on
which this part is based are not easily accessible, and most of them are in
imminent danger of disappearing altogether, the more important of them are
printed as footnotes. The authorities relied upon for the second part are also
indicated in the footnotes, so that the reader may refer to them for fuller
information.