Bekal Fort, Military fort in Kasaragod District, India.
Bekal Fort is a military stronghold in Kasaragod district, Kerala, southern India, spreading across a rocky headland that juts into the Arabian Sea. Laterite stone forms the circular walls that wind across the grounds, creating several defensive levels.
Shivappa Nayaka of Keladi built the stronghold around 1650 to secure his rule along the Malabar coast. Tipu Sultan later took control and used it as a base against British and local opponents until the site passed into colonial hands.
The name derives from the Malayalam word for large boulders scattered along the coastline. Visitors today follow a path along the ramparts that leads to a tower where guards once scanned the sea for approaching ships.
Access is through a main gate from which paths lead to different sections including the highest point overlooking the sea. Early morning hours offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds for walks along the walls.
The site contains no palace structures or residential buildings, underlining its purely military purpose. An underground tunnel system once connected different parts of the grounds, though many sections today remain sealed or collapsed.
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