Chirakkal Raja - Kolathiris and Zamorins

Kolathiris and Zamorins

The Kolathiris were political and commercial rivals of the Zamorins of Kozhikode, especially from the 16th century onwards when the European colonial powers like the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the English vied with each other for hegemony in trade with the Indian Subcontinent.The Portuguese followed a policy of religious persecution and forcible conversion. They therefore clashed with most of the native princes and chieftains. The Zamorin was able to convince the Kolathiri of the real motives of the Portuguese in India and the perils inherent in his policy of befriending them. By providing support to the Kunjali Marrikkars of Kozhikode, in 1558 AD the Kolathiris came openly into the field against the Portuguese. In 1564 AD the Kolathiri and the Zamorin together fought a war against the Portuguese and they besieged St. Angelo Fort at Kannur. The Portuguese continued to maintain a precarious foothold at Kannur till 1663.