Calicut

Calicut, a seaport of India in the presidency of Madras, is situated on the Malabar coast. It was formerly a Portuguese colony, but since 1792 has been in English hands. It gives its name to calico, and has considerable cotton manufactures. It was also the first port in India visited by Europeans - by Covilham in 1486 and by Vasco da Gama in 1498.