Tellicherry Fort, Colonial fort in Thalassery, India
Tellicherry Fort is a square fortress built with laterite block walls and reinforced corner bastions along the Malabar Coast. The structure includes tunnels that extend toward the sea, forming part of the defensive design.
The fortress was built in 1708 by the British East India Company to establish military control over their trading operations on the Malabar Coast. Its construction marked a key moment in European expansion into the region.
The fort grounds hosted cricket matches between European settlers and local teams, helping introduce the sport to the Malabar region. This activity became a way for different communities to gather and share interests on the same space.
The fort is walkable from Thalassery Railway Station, which sits close by. The best time to visit is during the drier months when the grounds are easier to explore on foot.
The fortress contains hidden underground passages that lead directly to the Arabian Sea, which were used as escape routes during conflicts. These concealed tunnels show the careful defensive strategy that guided the fort's design.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
