Malabar District, Former administrative district in Kerala, India
Malabar District was an administrative region stretching along India's western coast, bounded by the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats mountain range. The territory included fertile lowlands toward the coast and elevated areas inland, creating diverse landscapes and climate zones across the area.
The British established Malabar District as an official administrative unit in 1792, making Kozhikode its capital under the Madras Presidency. The region had been an important trading center long before this European control, with diverse populations and economic activity.
Diverse communities of Malayalam speakers, Muslims, and Arab descendants shaped regional festivals, art forms, and daily customs that remain visible in the area today. This cultural mix continues to influence how people celebrate and live together.
The historic territory is now divided among several modern Kerala districts including Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and parts of Malappuram. Visitors exploring the region should focus on these individual districts to understand the different parts of former Malabar.
The region served as a spice trade center for thousands of years, drawing merchants from Arabia, Babylon, and Greece to its coastal trading posts. This long history as a global trading hub made it one of the earliest connection points between Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
