a maritime town of Hindostan, on the coast of Malabar, in a district of the same name, with a large and safe harbour. It formerly belonged to the Portuguese, and had a strong fort to guard it; but in 1683, the Dutch, together with the natives, drove them away; and after they became masters of the town, enlarged the fortifications. The Dutch sold the place to a native family, now represented by a female, and also sovereign of the Lacadive islands, but paying an annual tribute of 14,000 rupees to the English East India Company. The town was taken by the British in 1790 from Tippo Saib, who had previously made himself master of it. E. Long. 78. 10. N. Lat. 12. 0.

a small district of Hindostan, on the coast of Malabar, now subject to the British. The natives are generally Mahometans; and the country produces pepper, cardamoms, ginger, mirobolans, and tamarinds, in which they drive a considerable trade, their vessels sailing to Arabia and Sumatra.