BEKAL
FORT - ART & CULTURE
News: First public sector caravan park in
Kerala to come up at Bekal
What's
in the news?
●
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation’s
(KTDC) plan to develop a caravan park and camp shelter at Bekal Fort, situated
in the Kasargod district of Kerala.
Bekal
Fort:
●
Bekal Fort, dating back to 1650 AD is known as the largest fort in Kerala.
Built
by - Shivappa
Nayaka of the Keladi dynasty.
Key
takeaways:
●
Throughout its history, the fort has
witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties and eventually came under the
control of the Kingdom of Mysore.
Unique
Features:
●
Bekal Fort’s unique structure, seemingly
emerging from the sea, features a water
tank, an observation tower attributed to Tipu Sultan, a zigzag entrance, defensive trenches and
strategically placed holes in its outer walls for naval defence.
●
Its solid construction is reminiscent of
forts like Thalassery Fort and St. Angelo Fort in Kannur, both built by the
Dutch.