Forts

Kerala is a land of rich historical heritage. Over the years, Kerala has been witness too much political activities and has witnessed the influx of various foreign powers, which settled down in various parts of the state. Many empires and many rulers have ruled the state and thus, Kerala has a plethora of forts and palaces. Though most of the forts in Kerala are built or have an over whelming European feel to it architecture, many of them where initially built by Indians like Hyder Ali and later modified over by the European. The forts which speak about the history of kingdoms built and brought down attract many tourists from far and near. The imposing forts such as the St. Angelo’s Fort, Bekal Fort, Palakkad Fort built or transformed by these colonial powers speak volumes about the foreign influence on architecture. The Palakad Fort was constructed by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766. Later on it was taken over by the British and modified by British.

Anjengo Fort...........................................01 Bekal Fort................................................02 Chandragiri Fort.....................................03 Kanhangad /Hosdurg............................04 Palakkad Fort.........................................05 Pallipuram Fort......................................06 St. Angelo Fort........................................07 Thalasseri Fort.......................................08

Anjengo Fort: (20 km South of Varkala) Originally built by the Portuguese as a depot to store merchandise, it was converted into a fort by the British. Sandwiched between the sea and the backwaters, the fort premises shelters ancient tombstones and a garden. Bekal Fort: (16 km south of Kasaragod on the national highway) The 300 year old Bekal fort is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. This imposing circular structure of laterite rises 130 feet above sea level and stands on a 35 acres head land that runs into the Arabian Sea.

Chandragiri Fort: Situated on the Chandragiri river, South - East of Kasaragod town, this town is known for its large 17th century fort built by Sivappa Naik of Bedanore. The Chandragiri Fort, one of a chain of forts built by the same ruler, offers a breathtaking view of the river and Arabian Sea. Kanhangad /Hosdurg Fort: This is renowned for its chain of forts built by Somashekhara Nayak of Ikkeri dynasty and also for the Nithyanandashram, an internationally recognised spiritual centre.

Palakkad Fort / Tippu’s Fort : It was built by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766. The fort was taken over and modified by the British in 1790. It is now preserved by the Archaeological survey of India. Now the fort is known as Tippu’s Fort for with thick walls in square shape. Pallipuram Fort : ( 5 km from Cherai in North Paravur) Pallipuram Fort is a historical destination with many antiques. St. Angelo Fort: (3 km from Kannur) This seafront laterite fort was constructed in 1505 AD by the first Portuguese Viceroy, Don Francisco De Almeda, with the consentof the ruling Kolathiri Raja. After changing hands from the Portuguese to Dutch and then to the English, the fort became one of the important military centres of the British in Malabar. Thalasseri Fort: (22 km from Kannur) The fort constructed in 1708, was the military centre of the British. It is now a historical monument. The Sports’ Authority of India Gymnastic centre, an old mosque, the Jagannatha Temple and Thiruvangad Sreerama Temple are also nearby.