Kozhikode also known as Calicut, is a city in the state of Kerala in southern India on the Malabar Coast. During classical antiquity and the middle ages, Kozhikode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. It was the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name ruled by the Samoothiris (Zamorins) in middle ages and later of the erstwhile Malabar district under British rule. Muslim Arab merchants traded with Kozhikode as early as 7th century, and Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed at Kozhikode on May 20, 1498.br br Thrissur originally Thrisivaperoor and previously known by its anglicized form as Trichur, is the fifth largest city, the third largest urban agglomeration in Kerala. Thrissur was once the capital of the Kingdom of Cochin. Thrissur is also known as the Cultural Capital of Kerala because of its cultural, spiritual and religious leanings throughout history.