Why Bekal Fort to be explored?

A tourism destination of Kerala

BY SREEJITH.AK MTA 1ST SEM AIMS ,BANGALORE

BEKAL• 16 kms south of the town on the National Highway,

located on the shoreline of Pallikkara village of Kasaragod is a region of remarkable splendor called Bekal.

• Rama Nayak, a local Kannada writer observes that the name Bekal is derived from the word Baliakulam which means a big palace. The place is said to have been the seat of a big palace in the past.  In the course of time the word term Baliakulam was changed to Bekulam and later to Bekal. Here was built a giant keyhole shaped fort which is the largest and best preserved fort in the whole of the Kerala– the Bekal Fort.

Bekal Fort • Spread over 40 acres of land standing the tough

trials of the waves is the largest fort in the state of Kerala – the Bekal Fort.

• The ever enchanting charm of the pristine and sandy beaches, its crashing waves and winds all tell the tale of a renowned history guarded inside the mighty walls of this 300 year old fort. 

Some important features of this fort • Bekal Fort is spread over 40 acres (160,000 m2).• The water-tank with its flight of steps,• The tunnel opening towards the south, • The magazine for keeping ammunition and the

broad and wide steps leading to the Observation Tower which is a rarity. From there one has ample view of towns in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikare, Bekal, Kottikkulam, Uduma etc.

• This observation center had strategic significance in discovering even the smallest movements of the enemy and ascertaining safety of the Fort. 

• The Fort appears to have been built up from the sea since almost three fourth of its exteriors is drenched and the waves continually stroke the citadel.

• The Mukhyaprana Temple of Hanuman and the ancient Muslim Mosque nearby bear testimony to the age-old religious harmony that prevailed in the area.

• The zigzag entrance and the moats around the fort show the defense strategy inherent in the fort.

HISTORY• Shivappa Nayaka of Bednore constructed the Bekal Fort in

1650AD. . • It was usual in older days for every royal palace to be protected by

a fort. • The 'Koteyar'/'Ramakshatriya' community found in Bekal, Panayal

and other places in Kasargod were said to have been brought to this land by the Nayaks to strengthen and defend the fort.

• There was a prolonged struggle between the Kolathiries and Nayaks to recapture and maintain their hold over this area. Following the rise of the Hyder Ali and his conquest of Bekal these prolonged battles came to an end. Thus Bekal fell into the hands of the Mysore kings. 

The Reign Of Tipu Sultan In Bekal 

• When Tipu Sultan led the great military expedition to capture Malabar, Bekal Fort served as an important military station for his army.

• The coins and other artifacts unearthed by the archaeological excavation conducted recently at Bekal fort shows the strong presence of the Mysore Sultans.

• The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799 led to the death of Tipu Sultan and consequently the fort came under the British East India Company.

• H.A. Stuart, in his Handbook of South Canara (1985), makes this observation: "Several forts were built by the Shivappa Nayaks of Badnore between 1650 and 1670. The two forts of Bekal and Chandragiri were originally under the Kolathiri or Chirakkal Rajas until the time of Shivappa Nayaka's invasion. Perhaps, the Bednore rulers might have rebuilt and improved it.

Bekal During The British Raj

• For the British also Bekal Fort was significant for their military and administrative ventures.

• During the reign of the Company Bekal became the headquarters of the newly organized Bekal Taluk of South Canara District in Bombay presidency.

• South Canara became a part of the Madras presidency in 1862 and Bekal Taluk was renamed Kasargod Taluk. Slowly the political and economic magnitude of Bekal and its port declined considerably. With the state reorganization in 1956 Kasargod became part of Kerala

How To Reach Bekal Fort ?By Air:• Nearest airport to bakel is mangalore domestic

terminal, which is about 50 km from bekal. Taxi charge is about rs 800 from mangalore to bekal.

• Nearest international airport is karipur ( kozhikode ), which is 180 km away from bekal. It cost around rs 3,500 from bekal to karipur. Karipur airport is connected to many arab cities. Mangalore air terminal is connected to bangalore and chennai.

• By Train:

•  Nearest major railway stations are kasargod and kanhangad, both are about 12 km away from bekal. Taxi charge will be about rs. 250 from railway station to bekal. Nearby kottikulam and pallikere have railway stations with stops only for local trains.

Bekal Today• Today, the Bekal fort and its

surroundings are fast becoming an international tourist destination and a favorite shooting location for film and ad makers.

• Bekal is also one of the five centres selected by the Government of India to be developed into a 'Special Tourism Area'. 

It is a great experience to visit such a destination like Bekal fort….Where the fort provides for excellent view over the sea.

Thank you