Palakkad Fort, located in the heart of Palakkad town in Kerala, is one of the finest and best-preserved forts in the state. Built in 1766 by Hyder Ali. The fort served as a strategic military outpost during the Mysore campaigns in Malabar. Its location at the gateway to Kerala allowed Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan to strengthen their control over the region and improve communication with Coimbatore and Dindigul.
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| Palakkad Fort, Palakkad ramptraveller.com |
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| Palakkad Fort, Palakkad city, Kerala, Alamy.com |
A fine example well-preserved structure that reflects the military and architectural advancements of the 18th century, the fort has a rich history intertwined with the Mysore rulers, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, and later the British East India Company.
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| Palakkad Fort, Palakkad ramptraveller.com |
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| Palakkad Fort, thrhindu.com |
Key Highlights of Palakkad Fort:
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| Hyder Ali abd Tpu Sultan.sansarlochan.in |
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| Palakkad fort, Rompus shaped fabhotels.com |
Historical Context: Constructed in 1766 by Hyder Ali, it was designed to strengthen Mysore's control over southern Malabar and facilitate communication with Coimbatore and Dindigul that were under their control. There are a famous fort called Hyde Ali fort and a mosque - Begumpur Mosque, built 300 years ago in memory of his younger sister Ameer-un-Nisha Begum (died in 1766 AD) at .Dindigul, now, part of Tamil Nadu.
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| Palakkad map. keraladietpalakkad.org. |
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| Palakkad Fort, Kerala.,sakthiresorttourism.wordpress.com |
Hyder Ali seized control of Palakkad after the local ruler, Ittikkombi Achan, sought his assistance against the Zamorin of Kozhikode. The fort changed hands multiple times, falling to the British during the Second Anglo-Mysore War and later recaptured by Tipu Sultan before his eventual defeat in 1799.
Unique Architectural Features: Designed with French expertise, the fort incorporates both jala durgam (water fort) and mahee durgam (land fort) features as mentioned in ancient Indian military texts like the Arthashastra.
The structure is rhombus-shaped with massive stone walls that have withstood the ravages of time and wars. The structure was meant to repel cannon bombardment from the enemy line.
The wide moat surrounding the fort, which does not dry up even during summer, is avital defensive feature. The moat made it nearly impossible for invaders to breach the fort.
Strategic and Defensive Importance: The fort's strategic location and design allowed clear visibility of enemy movements from afar with clear firing range with an open ground in front.
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| Step-well, Palakkad fort, Kerala. casarioresorts.com |
Above image: Palakkad fort, Kerala. Step well inside the well to tackle long siege by the enemies. Apart there are large rooms inside the fort store food grains, etc to deal with prolonged to the fort......... It served as a vital garrison for Mysore’s forces, with facilities like armories and a stepwell ensuring prolonged resistance during sieges.
Cultural and Religious Aspects:
Inside the fort is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, which was preserved by the Mysore rulers, reflecting their pragmatic respect for local traditions.
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| coins of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan instagram |
Coins were minted here during Hyder Ali's rule, replacing the local "Veerarayan Panam" with the "Hydari Sultan Panam."
Significant Historical Incidents:
Tipu Sultan met the Cochin king, Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran, within the fort, seeking support for his campaigns against Travancore. A famous astrologer, Machatt Ilayathu, predicted the fate of Tipu's pet parrot in an incident that reflects Tipu’s strong belief in astrology.
Later Usage: After Tipu Sultan's death in 1799 during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War at Srirangapatna, the British converted the fort into a base for administrative and military purposes.
The British also used it as a detention center for Indian freedom fighters during the struggle for independence.
Current Status:
Managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the fort remains a testament to the military ingenuity of the Mysore rulers Its well-maintained condition makes it a popular historical and tourist site.
The Palakkad Fort stands as a reminder of the region's tumultuous past and the sea-swa fortunes of many rulers showcasing the strategic brilliance of Hyder Ali and the resilience of the structure against the forces of time and history
https://www.navrangindia.in/2020/10/palakkad-fort-palakkad-kerala-18.html
https://www.navrangindia.in/2016/08/historical-begumpur-mosque-dindugul.html
https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/getting-about-kerala/palakkad/2018/10/03/palakkad-fort-a-reminder-of-mysores-campaigns-in-malabar.html
https://www.fabhotels.com/blog/places-to-visit-in-palakkad
https://www.indianpanorama.in/monuments/palakkad-fort.php (refer to for time, etc)
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