Fast Forward Calicut: Science Planetarium. There are not many planetariums in India. It is a matter of pride that Calicut has one. With this planetarium, Kozhikode wins a place in the planetarium map of the world. Situated within city at Jaffarkhan Colony it reveals the mysteries of the universe and enlightens us about the planets and stars.
- The severe and frequent wars on Walluvanad by the Samoothiri continued. But even after the loss of his ally Kochi Raja, Vellaattiri did not submit to Samoothiri.
- Most of the Nayar houses and ‘kalaries’ in the captured areas had lost their members in the wars against Samoothiri, and they were fuelled by kudippaka against the ruler. More deaths meant more kudippaka, and more Chavers. These houses would accept only Vellaattiri as their legitimate king. They were also helped by Vellaattiri’s forces from across the ‘border’. 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.
- By now all that was left to Vellaattiri were Attappadi valley, parts of Mannarkkad, Ottappalam and Perinthalmanna. Samoothiri invaded these territories but could not make much progress, because these regions were sparsely populated and most parts were dense forests and hills. It was impossible for Samoothiri’s large army to march forth through these areas. The fights with Vellaattiri’s men became more and more difficult for Samoothiri. Vellaattiri’s smaller army in turn made the most of the landscape and successfully kept the armies of Samoothiri at bay.
- Samoothiri built a fort at Ponnani.
- 1498, May 18 – Vasco Da Gama arrived. He asked Samoothiri to let the Portuguese keep a small legion in Kozhikkode to protect their goods. Samoothiri rejected this and also told Gama that he had to pay ‘chunkam’ at the same rates as that of others.
