Bekal Fort Historical landmark in Kerala State and located in Kasaragod District. it was primarily a military stronghold in the Malabar area, strategically built to combat invaders from the sea. There is some contention that it had been built during the reign of the Chirakkal Rajas. Another popular theory is that it was among a series of forts built by ShivappaNayak of Bednoor.
There was a prolonged struggle between the Kolathiries and Nayaks to recapture and maintain their hold over this area. These unending battles came to an end with the rise of Haider Ali who conquered and defeated the Nayaks. Subsequently, Bekal fell into the hands of Mysore Sultans.
South Canara became a part of the Madras Presidency in 1862 and Kasaragod Taluk was set up in the place of Bekal Taluk. Gradually the political and economic importance of Bekal and its port declined considerably. Kasaragod became part of Kerala with the state reorganization in 1956. Presently the protection and preservation of Bekal fort have been entrusted to the Archaeological Survey of India.
Bekal Fort Beach During the Perumal Age Bekal was a part of Mahodayapuram. The Kodavalam inscription (Pullur, 7 km from Kanhangad) of Bhasakara Ravi II (the King of Mahodayapuram) illustrates the undisputed political sway of Mahodayapuram over this region. Following the political decline of Mahodayapuram Perumals by the 12th century AD, North Kerala including Bekal, came under the sovereignty of Mushika or Kolathiri or Chirakkal Royal Family (who were a secondary royal family at that point to the Cheras, Pandyas, and Cholas). The maritime importance of Bekal increased much under the Kolathiris and it became an important port town of Tulunadu and the Malabar.
