Bekal Fort
Bekal Fort | |
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Bekal Fort | |
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![Inside Bekal Fort](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Inside_Bekal_Fort.jpg/220px-Inside_Bekal_Fort.jpg)
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 40 acres (160,000 m2).
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Bakel_Fort_Beach_Kasaragod4.jpg/220px-Bakel_Fort_Beach_Kasaragod4.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Bakel_fort_from_beach.jpg/220px-Bakel_fort_from_beach.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Bekalfortviewofsea.jpg/220px-Bekalfortviewofsea.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Bekal-1.jpg/220px-Bekal-1.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Bekalfort_2.jpg/220px-Bekalfort_2.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Bekalfort_1.jpg/220px-Bekalfort_1.jpg)
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
The fort's zigzag entrance and surrounding trenches reveal its defensive strategy. Holes on the outer walls are designed to defend the fort effectively from naval attacks. The upper holes meant for aiming at the farthest targets; lower holes below for striking as enemy nearer and the lowest holes to attacking enemy closest to the fort.[2]
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 a part of Mahodayapuram. Following the decline of Mahodayapuram Perumals, Bekal came under the sovereignty of the
After the
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.[1]
It was an important military station for
Nearby the Mukhyaprana Temple of Hanuman and ancient Muslim mosque bear testimony to the religious harmony that prevailed in the area.
Tourism
India declared Bekal Fort a special tourism area in 1992[5] and formed Bekal Tourism Development Corporation three years later to promote it.[6] 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
Nearest Airports are
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A view of Bekalfort watch tower
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A view of sea shore from Bekal fort
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A view of sea shore from Bekal fort
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A view of sea shore from Bekal fort
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Cannonballs kept at Bekal fort
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A view of sea shore from Bekal fort
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A view of Bekal fort from its watch tower
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A view of sea from watch tower
In popular culture
The song 'Uyire Uyire' from the film Bombay was shot in Bekal Fort.[7]
See also
- Mangalore
- Kasargod
- Kanhangad
- HosdurgFort
- Panathur
- Kannur Fort
- Thalassery Fort
- Mysorean invasion of Malabar
- SI-MET College of Nursing, Uduma
References
- ^ a b c d Kasargod: History & Society
- ^ "Bekal Beach in Kasaragod".
- ^ The Hindu, 22 Oct 2005
- ^ Madras District Manual
- ^ "Bastions of valour and victory". Deccan Herald. No. Bangalore. 29 July 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ "BEKAL". Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ^ Bari, Prachi (3 July 2010). "Indian locations provide stunning backdrops for film shoots". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- Sturrock, John (1894). History of the Tuluvas. Madras District Manual. Madras Gazette.
- C, Balan (2001). Kasargod: History & Society. District Panchayat, Kasargod.
- Prashanth G.N. (22 October 2005). "Fort by the Sea". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 January 2008.
- "Bekal Fort, Kasargod". Archaeological Survey of India.