Bekal Fort (Bekal)

India / Kerala / Kannangad / Bekal
 fort, interesting place

Kasaragod, Kerala, India
The name "Bekal" is derived from "Boiled stone" [ in Kannada Vendha kallu]. The Bekal Fort is the biggest fort in Kerala and presents a beautiful scenery to the visitors. There is a controversy regarding the building of the fort. Some argued that the fort was built by Ikkeri Nayakas. Some others connects it with the history of Tipu Sultan and Portuguese. There is a reference about Valiyakotta in the history books of Kerala published by some historians. They argued that the fort has Kerala origin.
The solid construction resembles the one at Kannur[ St Angelo fort] built by the Portuguese.
The Ikkeri Nayakas of Bedanur have been widely regarded as the founders of this fort. The fort was eventually completed during the period of Sivappa Nayak. It is believed that the Kotteyar community found in Bekal, Panayal and other places in Kasaragod were brought here by the Nayaks to build and defend the forts. However the issue of the fort's origin has forever been open to dispute.
Historian Nandakumar Koroth argued that modification to the fort was made by all the rulers who ruled the land from the time of the Ikkeri Nayakas. The Ikkeri Nayakas had not developed guns to defend themselves from the invaders approaching from the Arabian sea route. But the western part of the fort is built in a solid manner with numerous slits on the walls for defending the fort from the naval power of other rulers. So it is believed that the present look of fort was the outcome of the conflict between European powers. A number of forts built by the Ikkeri Nayakas have failed to stand the test of time and perished. Located at the center of the fort is an observation tower built by Tipu Sultan which offers a breathtaking view of the coastline as well as that of neighbouring places like Kanhangad and Pallikare. Also in existence is a rest house built by the British Government.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   12°23'32"N   75°1'57"E
This article was last modified 6 years ago