Anchuthengu Fort

Anchuthengu Fort is a square-shaped fortification on the Kerala coast near Thiruvananthapuram with thick stone walls, defensive bastions at each corner, and a surrounding moat. The layout follows a classic European military design intended to protect the settlement and control access from the sea.

The fortification was built in 1695 by the British East India Company as their first permanent settlement in the Kerala region. The coastal location was chosen for controlling trade routes and defending against competing powers seeking influence in this area.

The grounds contain graves of British colonial families, showing how European and Indian histories intersected in this location. Walking through the cemetery, you notice names and dates that tell stories of people who lived far from home.

The site is open daily from 9 AM to 6:30 PM with no admission fee and lies within easy reach of coastal towns and transport stations. Visiting during daylight hours works best for exploring the walls, bastions, and cemetery grounds comfortably.

Eight cannons sit on each bastion, serving both as defensive weapons and as signal devices for ships arriving from England. This dual purpose reveals how critical the location was for communication and trade rather than military conflict alone.

Location: Thiruvananthapuram district

GPS coordinates: 8.66268,76.76449

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:41