Dharmadam is a small town and panchayat near Thalassery in Kannur district of Kerala State, India
It is an island surrounded on three sides by Anjarakandy river and on west side by the Arabian Sea. It was a Buddhist stronghold in the past and was known as Dharmapattanam, which basically means Town of Dharma. Dharma sort of means right or righteousness etc .
It was also known to Jews and Arabs as Dahfattan while Portuguese called it Darmapatao.
Historically it was part of Mushika dynasty of Ezhimala, followed by Kolathiri. It was also under Arakkkal dynasty and for a while under Tipu Sultan, before falling under British rule. The main settlement of British was Thalassery, which is about 5 kms from Dharmadam. But seems like they did think of moving their main settlement from Thalassery to Dharmadam as per this article
It was known for its pepper trade. Possibly pepper from areas near it were brought and traded with Arabs.
This Arab link also leads to an interesting history/myth that the last Chera King of Kerala, Cheraman Perumal is supposed to have bit farewell to his sister , who used to reside here, and travelled to Mecca to become a Muslim. There are remains of a wall inside the premises of Brennen College that is linked to this story.
Dharmadam is famous for Andaloor Kavu, which is known for its unique festival and traditions like Chakka-kothu etc. Some of these traditions have links to its Buddhist past
Interestingly pirates from Dharmadam were behind the place named Malabar Hill/Point in Mumbai
References
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