There is much more to the Indian state of Kerala than its reputation for peaceful backwaters, picture-perfect beaches, gently swinging coconut trees, Ayurvedic therapies, and exotic spices. It also has several historical treasures that are sure to impress you.
One such jewel is Bekal Fort. Bekal Fort, which is located at the point where land and sea meet, is a treat for people who are interested in history as well as those who appreciate the beauty of nature.
The History of the Bekal Fort
The Bekal Fort has a long and illustrious history because it served as a fortress for a great number of kings, sultans, and even the British.
Although it is said that King Shivappa Nayak was the one who built the fort, there are various additional ideas that explain who or what was responsible for its construction.
It is generally accepted that the Chirakkal or Kolathiri Rajas were in control of the area when the Bekal Fort was constructed because defensive forts of this type were common in days gone by. After some time, it fell under the control of King Shivappa Nayak of Bednore, who oversaw its reconstruction.
It is also said that the Nayaks strengthened the fort by relocating members of the Koteyar and Ramakshatriya communities to Bekal and other locations inside the Kasaragod area.
The Kolathiries and the Nayaks engaged in a protracted conflict in order to retake and assert their authority over the region. Bekal was eventually taken by Hyder Ali, the Sultan of Mysore, in 1763, which brought an end to this particular struggle.
After that, Tipu Sultan and his troops utilised the fort as a vital military base during their mission to seize Malabar, and it was named after him. However, following Tipu Sultan’s demise in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799, the fort was taken over by the British East India Company. This event occurred during the conflict.
Bekal Fort was also used by the British for administrative and military purposes throughout their occupation. The State Reorganisation Act was enacted in 1956, and as a result, Kasaragod was incorporated into the state of Kerala.
In order to visit this historical fort, you can get your Indian visa from Austria without requiring to visit the Indian embassy. You can just apply online by submitting an Indian visa application form.
You can also get an Indian medical attendant visa if you need to go with a patient as a medical attendant in India.
The Architecture of the Bekal Fort.
The majestic Bekal Fort is situated at an elevation of 130 feet above mean sea level and extends across an area of 40 acres. Because it lacks any palaces or mansions on the inside, this towering edifice in the shape of a keyhole was primarily constructed for the purpose of providing defence.
The outstanding defence system that the former rulers of this area chose to implement is evident by the zigzag entry, the walls that are 12 metres high, the openings that are strategically placed on the outer walls, and the trenches that surround the entire fort area.
The Observation Tower, which is equipped with peepholes, serves as the primary focal point of the fort. Tipu Sultan constructed the tower, once more for defensive purposes, during his reign. In addition, there is a mosque, a water tank, and a shrine within the fort that is devoted to Lord Hanuman.
The exceptional way in which defence technology was utilised is a distinctive feature of the design of the fort’s construction. Peepholes were strategically placed on the fort’s exterior walls to thwart any attempts by enemy ships to storm the structure.
The uppermost holes could aim at foes that were quite a distance away, the middle ones were designed to battle foes that were located somewhat closer to the fort, and the lowermost holes were intended to fight foes that were located the closest to the fort.
The fort’s structure also includes a sea bastion and underground tunnels, both of which are very essential components.