TELLICHERRY  , a seaport of

British India, in the Malabar district of Madras, between Cannanore and the French settlement of Mahe . Pop . (1901) 27,883 . It is a healthy and picturesque town, built upon a group of wooded hills running down to the sea, and is protected by a natural breakwater of rock . The town with its suburbs occupies about 5 sq. tn., and was at one time defended by a strong mud wall . The old fort still stands to the north of the town . The East India Company established a factory here in 1683 for the pepper and cardamom trade . For two years (178o-82) the town withstood a siege by Hyder's general, and in the subsequent wars with Mysore Tellicherry was the base of operations for the ascent of the Ghats from the west coast . The town is a busy centre of export trade in coffee, coco-nut produce, spices and sandal-wood . The Basel Protestant mission has a station here . The municipality manages the Brennen college founded in 1862 .