Name: Thalassery
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Thalassery Fort, Thalassery Overview

The Thalassery Fort is an ancient monument in Thalassery also known as Tellicherry which is a town in the Kannur district of Kerala. It is situated on the Thalassery beach on a rocky cliff. Established by the East India Company as a testimony to show the power and ability of the imperial rulers, the Thalaserry fort was built in 1703. It played a prominent role in the military as well as commercial activities of the English during their colonial rule in India.

The fort is now supervised by the Archaeological Survey of India and comprises of a large gateway as well as a lighthouse. Near the fort also lies the bungalow of the sub-collector, St. Rosary Church and Brennen cemetery. This historical fort has also experienced the making of the Malayalam movie Pazhassiraja. The fort has a square shape, massive walls and doors which are artistically carved. It has laterite blocks and walls with holes of loops which are aided by strong supporters.

History of Thalassery Fort

History has it that the king of Mysore, Hyder Ali tried to capture Mysore in 1781 but was unable to do so. The fort was constructed by British East India Company in the 18th century with the aim to set a firm foot in the Malabar Coast. The fort was used against the rebellion of Pazhassi Raja by Lord Wellesley. Since the fort was the military centre of British, it was believed to comprise of a secret tunnel to the sea which acted as a route to escape whenever attacked.

Architecture of Thalassery Fort

The imposing structure of Tellicherry Fort is constructed out of laterite with high round holed walls and flanking bastions in a strategic location to withstand attacks and invasions. The most captivating feature of this architectural marvel is the entrance door, which is through the top of the giant wall. It is decorated with mural paintings tracing back to the 18th century present on its rooftop. It is said that Thalassery Fort was constructed by using a mixture of quicklime, white of egg and sugar candy. The massive fort has secret tunnels leading to the sea and a lighthouse marking the enrapturing site. The tunnel leads to the sea, which could be used to escape an attack, but is now closed. To the western side of this mighty structure stands the lighthouse with a precarious flight of stairs leading to its top. Another unique feature of the fort is the underground chamber, which is believed to be the minting godown for the coins of East India Company.

The square fort with its enrapturing architecture and calmness arrests one's attention. The mighty fort also comprises of a gallery inside it with pictures of caves, monuments and ancient paintings. It was a mark of the development and progress of Thalassery. Odathil Palli which is an old mosque, Jagannatha temple and Thiruvangadi Sri Rama Swami Temple are some other attractions located nearby the fort and are a must-visit.

Tips For Visiting Thalassery Fort

1. The fort remains a pleasant site and can be visited throughout the year. However, one must take along some food packages and disposable water bottles on the way.

2. Beware of pickpocketers.

How To Reach Thalassery Fort

Thalassery has a well developed local transportation system with autorickshaws and buses accessible from any part of the city. However, it is more convenient to hire a private taxi or a car to reach the Thalassery Fort.