The Fort appears to have been
built up from the sea since almost three fourths of its exterior 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 trenches around the fort show the defence strategy inherent in the fort.
Unlike most other Indian forts,
Bekal Fort was not a center of administration, for no remains of any palace;
mansion or such buildings are found within the fort. Arguably the fort was
built especially for fulfilling defence requirements. The holes on the outer
walls of the fort are specially designed to defend the fort effectively. The
holes at top were meant for aiming at the farthest points; the holes below for
striking when the enemy was nearer and the holes underneath facilitated
attacking when the enemy was very near to the fort. This is remarkable evidence
of technology in defence strategy.
Recorded history
Sivappa Nayaka of
Bednore constructed the Bekal Fort in 1650AD. During the Perumal Age Bekal
was a part of Mahodayapuram. The Kodavalam inscription (Pullur, 7 km from
Kanhangad) of Bhasakara Ravi II (the King of Mahodayapuram) illustrate the
undisputed political sway of Mahodayapuram over this region. Following the
political decline of Mahodayapuram Perumals by the 12th century AD, North
Kerala including Bekal, came under the sovereignty of Mushika or Kolathiri or Chirakkal Royal
Family (who were a secondary royal family at that point to the Cheras, Pandyas and Cholas). The
maritime importance of Bekal increased much under the Kolathiris and it became
an important port town of Tulunadu and Malabar.
It was usual in older
days for every royal palace to be protected by a fort. The Bekal fort might
have, therefore, existed even from early days of the Chirakkal Rajas. While
writing a description of the Kolathiri Kingdom in his Kerala History, K.P.
Padmanabha Menon writes: "The eldest of the male members reigned as
sovereign Kolathiri. The next in succession, the heir apparent, was the
Thekkelamkur. The residence assigned to him was the Vadakara fort. The third in
succession was the Vadakkelamkur in charge of Vekkolath fort. This V(B)ekkolath
fort is identified by some scholars as the present Bekal."
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."
The Battle of
Talikota in 1565 led to the decline of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire and
many feudatory chieftains rose in political prominence including the Keladi
Nayakas (Ikkeri Nayaks). The Nayakas realized the political and economic
importance of Tulunadu (which is the region comprising
modern-day Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts along with
the Northernmost part of Kasargod District) and attacked and annexed the
region. Bekal served as a nucleus in establishing the dominance of the Nayakas
in Malabar. The economic importance of the port town prompted the Nayakas to
fortify Bekal subsequently. Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka initiated the construction
of the fort and it was completed during the period of Shivappa Nayaka. The
speedy completion of the port was aimed at the defense of the fort from
overseas attack and to strengthen their attack on Malabar. Chandragiri
fort near Kasargod was also constructed during this period.
Somashekhara Nayak
captured Manjeswar and Taliparamba and built a fort
at Kanhangad called Hosdurg which literally means 'New Fort' in Kannada/Tulu.
The other forts found in Kasargod are constructed on the coastal
region and on the route to Madikeri (Mercara in Coorg). It is
believed that the 'Koteyar'/'Ramakshatriya' community found in Bekal, Panayal and
other places in Kasargod were 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. These battles came
to an end with the rise of Hyder Ali who conquered the Nayakas.
Subsequently Bekal fell into the hands of Mysore kings.
Bekal served as an
important military station of Tipu Sultan when he led the great
military expedition to capture Malabar. The coins and other artifacts
unearthed by the archaeological excavation conducted recently at Bekal fort is
a manifestation of the strong presence of the Mysore Sulthans. The death of
Tipu Sulthan in Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799 saw the end of
Mysorean control and subsequently the fort came under the British East
India Company.
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 1799 and Kasargod Taluk was up in the place of
Bekal Taluk. Gradually the political and economic importance of Bekal and its
port declined considerably. Kasargod became part of Kerala with the state
reorganization in 1956.
Its solid
construction resembles the St. Angelo Fort at Kannur built by
Portuguese and also the Thalassery Fort. The Ikkeri Nayakas had not
developed guns to defend themselves from the invaders approaching from the
Arabean sea route. But the western part of the fort is built in a solid manner
with numerous slits on the walls for defending the fort from the naval power of
other rulers. So it is believed that the present look of fort was the outcome
of the conflict between European powers. Modification to the fort was made by
all the rulers who ruled the land from before the time of the Ikkeri Nayakas.
Moreover a number of forts built by the Ikkeri Nayakas have failed to stand the
test of time and perished. Located at the centre of the fort is an Observation
Tower built by Tipu Sultan, which offers a breathtaking view of the
coastline. Also in existence is a rest-house built by the British Government.
Presently the protection and preservation of Bekal fort has been entrusted to
the Archaeological Survey of India.
Tourism
In 1992 the
Government of India declared Bekal Fort as a special tourism area. In the year
1995 the government formed Bekal Tourism Development Corporation for
transforming Bekal Fort into international tourism centre. Tourism
promotion activities have been taking place of late in the areas surrounding
the fort, under the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC). The song
'Uyire' (Tamil) from the movie 'Bombay' directed by Mani Ratnam has been shot
at Bekal Fort. Many such films, music albums, commercial advertisements etc.,
are being shot at Bekal Fort.
Access
Nearest towns are Kanhangad – 8 km
and Kasargod 18 km.
These towns are well connected to nearby cities by bus and train.
Nearest airports
Mangalore International Airport – 60 km.
Karipur International Airport – 180 km.
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