MUST VISIT FORTIFICATIONS IN KERALA

Bekal Fort

Bekal Fort is Kerala's largest fort and holds a significant position in the list of Kerala's famous tourist centers. This fort situates in the Pallikkara village near Kasargod district that proudly sits on the shore of the Arabian Sea. Historians asserted that the Bekal fort was established by king Sivappa Naik after the fall of the Vijayanagara regime. But there are some other assumptions that it was established by the Kolathiri kings. In 1760, Tippu Sultan raided this citadel from them, and in 1799 British East India company confiscated the Bekal fort from Sulthan. Arsenal, underground subways, cannon holes are its main features. This fortress extends to 46 acres that’s made up of laterite and now it’s under the Central Archaeological Department.

Kannur Fort

Kannur castle is also known as `St Angelo Fort’ is the second fort made by Europeans that settled on the shore of the Arabian Sea near Kannur city. In 1502, by the arrival of Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese constructed this garrison as their major trade center. But on 1505 October 23, it was renovated for the need of protection from formidable opponents. Kannur Fort surrounded by seawater widely extends to 11 acres with 30 feet long walls and 30 feet deep trench. The existence of crocodiles in this trough, 12 cannons, accommodation facility for 1000 soldiers, 7 scaffolds, long narrow aisles, artillery, and the fort gateway with sharp nails to attack the elephants of enemies are the peculiarities of Kannur fort. This fortress is also under the Central Archaeological Department.

Palakkad Fort

Palakkad Fort also called `Tippu Sultan Fort’ was designed by Haider Ali in 1766 for the need of organizing susceptible trade connections between Coimbatore and Malabar regions and also for having supreme control over Malabar. This fortalice was built using granite with 40 feet height and 20 feet breadth.  Palakkad Fort is famous for the presence of 60 cannons, 9 bastions, and 30 feet subtle narrow way with poisonous creatures and crocodiles. The underground pathway to go out from the fort and the settlement of the Hanuman temple inside the fort near the fort hatchway are also notable features.

Kodungallur Fort

In 1523, the Kodungallur fort was built by Portuguese vendors for the need of trading. As this castle proudly sits in the northern part of Kottapuram harbor, Kodungallur fort is also eminent as `Kottapuram Fort’. This citadel was under the authority of Portuguese warrior Urbana Fialho Ferriera to defend against naval attacks. But in 1662 January 15 with the help of Cochin king Palliath Achan, Dutch ravaged this fort and sold it to the king of Trivandrum whereas the Tippu sultan seized the fort from the hands of the Trivandrum king soon. The relics of the fortress, subterranean cabins, bastions, and the Stupa of power placed by the Trivandrum king can also be seen here.

Visiting these strongholds can be a pleasurable experience of embracing the history of Kerala.