Kannur Tourism Places - An Ancient Port Town
Kannur, commonly known as Cannanore in the early days, is a Northern district in Kerala, famous for its culture and rich heritage. Surrounded by the Western Ghats and Arabian Sea, the region has abundant natural beauty and unique traditions. Kannur is an ancient port town that finds mention in Greek literature as ‘Port of Naura’. By the 14th century AD, the kingdom came to be known as ‘Kolathunadu’ and the rulers called it ‘Kolathiris’. Kolathiris grew around North Kerala and became the rivals of the Zamorins of Kozhikode. During that period, several Arab scholars visited the places Baliapatam, Srikantapuram, Dharmadam, Bekal, Ezhimala etc which they recorded in their travelogue.
It was in the ninth century AD, the second line of the Chera emperors were established and ruled till 1102 AD. Arrival of the Portugese navigator Vasco Da Gama, changed the destiny of Kolathiris and India as a whole. Kolathiris sought the help of the Portugese to compete with their rivals the Zamorins of Kozhikode, who were backed by Arabs. Portuguese became successful in exploiting the rivalry of the neighbours that they were able to erect forts in strategic points. English East India Company got its foothold in Kannur at the latter part of 17th century with a fort and factory in Thalassery. Kolathiris began to lose their power and the company prospered with their trade until the beginning of the 18th century.
In 1725, the French captured a small portion of the region and named it as ‘Mahe’ in honour of their captain Francois Mahé De Labourdonnais. By the second half of the 18th century, two muslim rulers, Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan invaded and conquered Malabar. Later by the treaty of Srirangapatna, Malabar was formally handed over to the British. On their rule, Kannur was utilized as one of the largest ports on the western coast next to Bombay and Karachi (Pakistan). Marco Polo mentions Kannur as the 'Emporium of Spice Trade' alluding to the port's healthy trading. Thinking of tourist attractions in Kannur, the first thing that comes to note is the great beaches and traditional festivals they celebrate. Mahe is now a part of union territory of Puducherry.