Bekal Fort Quick Facts
| Place | Kasaragod District, Kerala (India) |
| Built in | 1650 AD |
| Built by | shivappa nayak |
| Type | Fort |
| Architectural style | Ancient Hindu Art |
Bekal Fort Overview
Bekal Fort is the largest fort in Kerala as it is covered over 40 acres (160,000 m2). This fort was built in 1650 AD by Shivappa Nayak of Bednar. This fort looks like a giant hole. The reason for the fame of this fort is the magnificent view of the sea from this fort.
Bekal Fort History
The Fort was built by Shivappa Nayaka of Bednur but some believe that the Bekal fort was earlier ruled by the Chirakkal kings and Shivappa Nayaka rebuilt the fort after capturing the area in the 1650s or 1660s. Along with which Chandragiri Fort near Kasaragod was also built during this period.।
After that, the Kings of Mysore attacked this fort and established their authority over it. Later this fort became an important military station of Tipu Sultan. But due to the death of Tipu Sultan in 1799 AD, he lost control of Mysore, due to which the British East India Company established its authority over the fort became a part of the new state.
Bekal Fort Interesting Facts
- In view of the historical relevance of the fort, in 1992 AD the fort was made a 'Special Tourist Zone' to be led and preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India.
- To promote the works of the fort, Bekal Tourism Development Corporation was formed in the year 1995.
- This fort is built on top of a hill in Kasaragod district and has a zig zag entrance all around the fort with a huge cannon mounted on the roof of the fort.
- A watch tower is built inside the fort, from which the view of the sea is very beautiful.
- The reason for this fort being a sea citadel and the observation of the underground Tunnels are impressive sights. And an old Mosque remains near the fort. It is believed that it was built by Tipu Sultan.
- This fort is covered over an area of about 40 acres, making it considered the largest fort in the state of Kerala.
- In the Bekal fort itself, the Tamil song of a Telugu film 'Uire', made in Bombay in 2001, was filmed in the fort.
How to reach Bekal Fort
Local roads connect Mangalore in the north and Calicut in the south to reach Bekal Fort. One can easily reach the fort from these roads. And besides this, the nearest railway station is Bekal Fort Railway Station and Kanhangad Railway Station, about 16 km away from the fort on the Mumbai route. Simultaneously, Calicut International Airport is about 50 km from the city of Mangalore, and about 200 km from Kasaragod.