Bekal Fort

© Mallikarjuna.D.G. The unique Bekal Fort stands amidst the roaming but heartening music of the seas along with the eternal note of the unending waves, carrying the thrilling memories of a bygone era. The Bekal Fort has been a source of attraction for historians, tourists and nature-lovers for centuries since it embodies memories of a glorious past. The Fort appears to have been built up from the seas since almost three fourth of its exterior is drenched and the waves do stroke the citadel. The zigzag entrance and the trenches around the fort show the defence strategy connected with the fort. © Mallikarjuna.D.G. Bekal Fort happens to be the biggest fort of Kerala spreading over forty acres. © Mallikarjuna.D.G. Unlike most other Indian Forts, Bekal Fort was not a center of administration for no remains of a Palace are found within the Fort. Probably the fort was built for fulfilling the defence requirements. The holes on the outer walls of the fort are so remarkable that they are specially designed to defend the fort effectively. This is a remarkable evidence for the medieval technology of defence strategy. © Mallikarjuna.D.G. History: Kasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala State is a land of forts. Bekal Fort remains the largest and best-preserved fort in Kerala. The battle of Thalikkottai in 1565 led to the decline of the mighty Vijayanagara empire and many feudal chieftains rose in political prominence including the Keladi Nayakas(Ikkeri Nayakas). The Nayakas realized the political ans economic importance of Thulunadu (Kasaragod District) and attacked and annexed this part of the country. Bekal served as a nucleus in establishing the domination of Nayakas in Malabar. The economic importance of the port town prompted the Nayakas to fortify Bekal subsequently. Hiriya Venkatappa initiated the construction of the fort and it was completed during the period of Shivappa Nayaka. The speedy completion of the port was aimed at the defence of the fort from overseas attack and to strengthen their attack on Malabar. The unending battles of the Nayakas came to an end with the rise of Haider Ali who conquered and defeated Nayakas.Subsequently Bekal fell into the hands of Mysore Sulthans. Bekal served as an important military station of Tipu Sultan when he led the great military expedition to capture Malabar. The martyrdom of Tipu Sulthan who died fighting against the British in 1799 saw the end of Mysorean control and subsequently the fort came under the English East India Company. South Canara became a part of the Madras Presidency in 1862 and Kasaragod Taluk was set up in the place of Bekal Taluk. Gradullay the political and economic importance of Bekal and its port declined considerably. Kasaragod became part of Kerala with the state reorganization in 1956. Viewed 1867 Times | Comments (0)

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