Bekal Fort 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. The logic behind the assumption being the creation of similar forts at other places including Chandragiri. The ‘Koteyar’/’Ramakshatriya’ community found in Bekal, Panayal and other places in Kasaragod are said to be direct descendants of a community brought to the area to fortify these military garrisons.
The area would see many a power struggle until the arrival of the Mysore kings. Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan would further enhance the fort and make it an impregnable force in the area. They too would eventually have to cede the same to the British. Memorabilia found in the fort from those times indicate the importance it held to the Mysore kings. But the sole purpose of acting as a military base would end with the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. The British took over and while it was still an integral stronghold, it also started being used for administrative purposes in Bekal Taluk. Slowly, the political and economic magnitude of Bekal and its port declined considerably. Today, it is a vital historical monument and one of the five centres selected by the Government of India to be developed into a ‘Special Tourism Area’. It is among the finest tourist attractions on the northern tip of God’s Own Country.
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