The Samoothiri Raja (anglicized as Zamorin) were the erstwhile rulers of Kozhikode (Calicut). Manavikraman Raja the Samoothiri of Kozikode received the first European (Vasco da Gama) to visit India by the sea route, and thus opening a direct trade route to Europe (1498 AD).
However soon afterwards, the Europeans, turned against the Zamorin. A long battle by the Zamorin's navy led by Kunjali Marakkar ensued lasting several years. Finally the Zamorin had to allow the first European post in India to be established at Chaliyam.
The Samoothiris are also known for the long battles (Mamankam) with the neighboring kingdom of Walluvanad.
Zamorin is the anglicised version of Samoothirippadu or Samoothiri, a title of the rulers of the erstwhile Hindu state of Kozhikode (previously known as Calicut), located in the present day state of Kerala, India, between the 14th and 18th century AD.
Manavikraman Raja, the Samoothiri of Kozhikode is famous for being the ruler that received the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama on May 18, 1498.
During December, 1500 the Samoothiri expelled the Portuguese from Kozhikode due to their demand for a monopoly, and they moved to a trading post at the city of Kochi.
This right was usurped by Samoothiri, when he captured the town in the latter half of the 13th century.
To counter the local unrests, Samoothiri followed a custom of 'implanting' Muslim families and the families of other commanders who had allegiance to him, in the captured areas of Malappuram.
Samoothiri invaded these territories but could not make much progress, because these regions were sparsely populated and most parts were dense forests and hills.
Feeds |
Contact