Tipu’s Fort, Palakkad

The Tipu’s Fort, also known as Palakkad Fort, stands in the heart of Palakkad town. Palakkad is a small town on the lower edges of the Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats, with patches of dense forests and crisscrossed with rivers.

One of the well preserved forts in south India, Tipu’s Fort was constructed in 1766 AD and is today a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. The sober majesty of the laterite walls of the fort reminds one of the old tales of valour and courage.

The fort was built by Hyder Ali (1717 – 1782), the emperor of Mysore province (now part of Karnataka State), supposedly to facilitate communication between both sides of the Western Ghats, (Coimbatore and the West Coast). He had captured the Malabar and Kochi regions which come under the West Coast area. His son Tipu Sultan (1750 – 1799) a warrior as well as a linguist was known as the ‘Tiger of Mysore’. Tipu waged a series of wars against the British colonial rule.

In 1784, after an eleven-day seige, the fort was captured by the British under Colonel Fullerton. Though it later fell into the hands of the troops of the Kozhikode Zamorin, it was recaptured by the British in 1790. Tipu Sultan lost his life in 1799 in an encounter with the British and the fort later came to be known in his name.

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Town:

Government buses and private buses are available from many parts of the state to the town of Palakkad. Buses are available from Coimbatore town as well. Government buses are the cheapest option. However, they may not be comfortable and they are generally crowded as well. Tickets cost around Rs 40 and Rs 100. Private buses are available from places such as Kochi and Kozhikode and these are also a good option. Ticket prices vary depending on the distance. A/C buses are available as well. This is a relatively comfortable option.

Airport:

Nearest airports are Coimbatore about 55 km in Tamilnadu State; Cochin International Airport, about 140 km towards south

Railway Station:

Nearest railway station is Palakkad about 5 km

District:

Palakkad

Longitude:

10.763526

Latitude:

76.656635

Tourist Place to Visit in Palakkad District, Kerala

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