TELLICHERRY

also spelled Thalassery city, northern Kerala state, southwestern India. It was established in 1683 by the British for the pepper and cardamom trade and was their first settlement on the Malabar Coast. A fort was built there in 1708 and was attacked unsuccessfully by the Indian ruler and military commander Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1781. Tellicherry is still a major port for the export of pepper, coffee, sandalwood, and coconuts. It has a thriving furniture industry as well as coffee-curing, rope- and mat-making, and other industries. It is the site of Government Brennen College (established 1862). Pop. (1981) 75,561; (1991) 103,577.