alt=Inside Bekal Fort|thumb|Small windows opening to the sea in Bekal Fort

Bekal Fort is a medieval fort built by Shivappa Nayaka of Keladi in 1650 AD, at Bekal. It is the largest fort in Kerala, spreading over .

thumbnail|Bekal Fort Beach, a popular beach in Kerala.

thumb|View from beach

thumb|West view

thumb|Bakel fort

thumb|The beach down the fort

thumb|Extension of the fort into the sea

thumb|Staircase inside the fort

Structure

The fort appears to emerge from the sea. Almost three-quarters of its exterior is in contact with water. Bekal fort was not an administrative centre and does not include any palaces or mansions.

An important feature is the water-tank, magazine and the flight of steps leading to an observation tower built by Tipu Sultan.

Its solid construction resembles the Thalassery Fort and the St. Angelo Fort at Kannur built by the Dutch.

History

During the Perumal Age, Bekal was part of Mahodayapuram. Following the decline of Mahodayapuram Perumals, Bekal came under the sovereignty of the Mushika or Kolathiri or Chirakkal Royal Family in the 12th century. The maritime importance of Bekal increased under the Kolathiris and Malabar became an essential port town.

After the Battle of Talikota in 1565, feudatory chieftains including the Keladi Nayakas (Ikkeri Nayaks) became powerful in the region. Bekal served as a hub to first dominate, then later defend Malabar. The economic importance of this port town prompted the Nayakas to fortify Bekal subsequently. Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka initiated the construction of the fort and it was completed in 1650 AD by Shivappa Nayaka. Chandragiri fort near Kasargod was also built during this time.

The struggles between the Kolathiries and nayaks to hold this area ended when Hyder Ali conquered the Nayakas and Bekal fell into the hands of Mysore kings. and became the headquarters of the Bekal Taluk of South Canara District in Bombay presidency. The political and economic importance of Bekal and its port declined.

Tourism

India declared Bekal Fort a special tourism area in 1992 and formed the Bekal Tourism Development Corporation three years later to promote it. The fort has been featured in the song 'Uyire' (Tamil) from the movie Bombay and the song ‘Dwadashiyil’ from the Malayalam movie Madhuranombarakattu.

Transportation

Local roads connect to Mangalore in the north and Calicut in the south. The nearest railway station is Bekal Fort Railway Station, Kanhangad Railway Station and Kotikulam Railway Station on Mangalore-Palakkad line.

The nearest airports are Mangalore International Airport, 71 km, Kannur International Airport, 101 km, and Calicut International Airport, 195 km.

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File:Bekal fort kasaragod 01.jpg|A view of Bekalfort watch tower

File:Bekal fort kasaragod 15.jpg|A view of sea shore from Bekal fort

File:Bekal fort kasaragod 21.jpg|A view of sea shore from Bekal fort

File:Bekal fort kasaragod 25.jpg|A view of sea shore from Bekal fort

File:Bekal fort kasaragod 26.jpg|Cannonballs kept at Bekal fort

File:Bekal fort kasaragod 16.jpg|A view of sea shore from Bekal fort

File:Bekal fort kasaragod 11.jpg|A view of Bekal fort from its watch tower

File:Bekal Fort watch tower view.jpg|A view of sea from watch tower

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The song 'Uyire Uyire' from the film Bombay was shot in Bekal Fort.

See also

  • Mangalore
  • Kasargod
  • Kanhangad
  • Hosdurg Fort
  • Panathur
  • Kannur Fort
  • Thalassery Fort
  • Mysorean invasion of Malabar
  • SI-MET College of Nursing, Uduma

References