CALICUT, the capital of the preceding district, was formerly a magnificent and extensive city. The ancient town has long been submerged by the sea; and at very low tides the waves are said to break over the tops of the highest temples and minarets. The present town stands on the sea-shore, in a low and unsheltered situation, with narrow and dirty streets. It is, however, populous, and the seat of a considerable trade. The port is frequented by vessels from Arabia and the Red Sea for wood, which is the principal commodity; as also spiceries, cardamums, piece goods, &c. It was at this city that Vasco de Gama arrived in May 1498, ten months and two days after he had departed from Lisbon. In 1509 the Portuguese attacked Calicut with 3000 troops; but they were repulsed with great loss, and the general was slain in the attack. This town was taken in 1773 by Hyder Ali, who expelled all the merchants and factors, destroyed the cocoa-nut trees, sandal-wood, and pepper vines, that the country, reduced to ruin, might present no temptation to the cupidity of Europeans. It was afterwards taken and destroyed by his son Tippoo Saib, who carried off the inhabitants to Beypoor. When the country was conquered by the English, they returned and rebuilt the town, which, in the year 1800, consisted of 5000 houses, for the most part mean edifices, inhabited by Moplays. The proper name of the place is Colicodu, which means the cock-crowing; the district of Colicodu being meant to include all the territory in which a cock crows in a small temple could be heard. It is 76 miles W. of Coimbatore, and 95 S. W. of Seringapatam. Long. 75. 50. E. Lat. 11. 15. N.