47-467: Bekal Fort is a medieval fort built by Shivappa Nayaka of Keladi in 1650 AD, at Bekal . It is the largest fort in Kerala , spreading over 40 acres (160,000 m). The fort appears to emerge from the sea. Almost three-quarters of its exterior is in contact with water. Bekal fort was not an administrative centre and does not include any palaces or mansions. An important feature is the water-tank, magazine and
94-456: A location in Kasaragod district , Kerala , India is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Kasaragod district Kasaragod ( Malayalam: [kaːsɐrɡoːɖɨ̆] ( Tulu : Kāsrōḍ , Kannada : Kāsaragūḍu , Marathi : Kāsāragōḍa ; English : Kassergode ) is one of the 14 districts in the southern Indian state of Kerala . Its northern border Thalappady
141-555: Is a small town in the Kasaragod district on the West coast of the state of Kerala , India . Bekal is a town located 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Kasaragod town and 14 km (8.7 mi) north of Kanhangad on the State Highway 57 . Bekal Fort is the largest fort in Kerala state situated adjacent to the beach. Shaped like a giant keyhole, the historic Bekal Fort offers a view of
188-416: Is also the longest river in the district, empties into Arabian Sea . Kasaragod is home to several forts which include Arikady fort , Bekal Fort , Chandragiri Fort , and Hosdurg Fort . Bekal Fort is also the largest fort in Kerala. The historic hill of Ezhimala is located on the southern portion of Kavvayi Backwaters of Nileshwaram . Talakaveri , which is home to Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary where
235-663: Is around 1460 km and it accounts for around 11.2 km of MDR for every 10,000 people in the district. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has stations to operate its service in the district. The railway goes through coastal area. Kasaragod railway station lies in Palakkad railway division of southern zone on Mangalore - Shoranur line. Kasaragod district is home to 3 out of 13 minor ports in Kerala - Manjeshwar , Kasaragod, and Nileshwaram . The nearest international airports are situated at Mangalore (65 km away) and Kannur (110 km away). According to
282-537: Is built on its bank. The river originates at Pattimala in Kodagu (Coorg). The smallest river of Kerala is also in the district. Kasargod district consists of two revenue subdivisions- Kasargod and Kanhangad. For sake of rural administration, 38 Gram Panchayats are combined in 6 Blocks, which together form the Kasargod District Panchayat. For the sake of urban administration, 3 municipal towns are there. For
329-566: Is located just 9 km south to Ullal , which is the southernmost portion of the major port city Mangalore , on the southwestern Malabar coast of India. Kasaragod is the northernmost district of Kerala and is also known as Saptha Bhasha Sangama Bhoomi (The place where Seven languages meets) The district is situated on the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats . It was a part of the Kannur district of Kerala until 24 May 1984. It also remains
376-509: Is part of Kolathunadu (south of Chandragiri river) and Kasargod and Manjeshwaram is in the Tulu Nadu region (north of Chandragiri river). On 19 January 1801, Francis speaks of visiting a Siva temple at Pulla (Pallikere), beyond which, the country rises into open rising lands, all the way to Chandragiri river and Chandragiri fort, which he describes as the northern border of the Malayala. He says that
423-405: Is situated in the midway between Kasaragod and Kanhangad , and is also largest fort in Kerala, was built in 1650 by Shivappa Nayaka of Keladi . Francis Buchanan, the family doctor of Arthur Wellesley , visited Kasaragod in 1800. In his travelogue, he recorded information on places like Athiraparambu, Kavvai, Nileshwaram , Bekal , Chandragiri and Manjeshwar . Hosdurg and Vellarikundu
470-624: Is the highest peak in the Kasargod district of Kerala, located in the Ranipuram Wildlife Sanctuary. Kasaragod has a tropical climate . Kasaragod district has the largest number of rivers in Kerala - 12. All of them are west-flowing rivers. The longest of them is Chandragiri River (105 km long). Kasaragod town is located on the estuary of Chandragiri river. It empties into the Arabian Sea at Thalangara . The Chandragiri Fort
517-451: Is the northernmost district of Kerala, which is far away from Thiruvananthapuram , the state headquarters, which is located in the southernmost tip of state. Manjeshwaram town is located about 600 km north of the state headquarters Thiruvananthapuram , about 30 km south of Mangalore , about 350 km west of Bangalore , the headquarters of the neighbouring state Karnataka , and about 950 km south of Mumbai city. In 2012,
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#1733084992816564-534: The British . The British occupied Kanara only after the death of Tippu Sultan. it is said that Kinavoor Molom (Sree Dharma Shashtha Temple) is belonging to Karinthalam (one of 64 Brahmin villages in old Kerala). Before the formation of Kerala, Kasargod was a part of South Canara district of erstwhile Madras Presidency . Initially South Canara was included in the Bombay presidency . Later on 16 April 1862, South Canara
611-659: The Carnatic conquests of Vijayanagara Empire . The Kumbla dynasty had a mixed lineage of Malayali Nairs and Tuluva Brahmins . They also claimed their origin from Cheraman Perumals of Kerala. Francis Buchanan-Hamilton states that the customs of Kumbla dynasty were similar to those of the contemporary Malayali kings. The Kolathiri Dominion emerged into independent 10 principalities i.e., Kadathanadu ( Vadakara ), Randathara or Poyanad ( Dharmadom ), Kottayam ( Thalassery ), Nileshwaram , Iruvazhinadu ( Panoor ), Kurumbranad etc., under separate royal chieftains due to
658-596: The Indian subcontinent . According to Qissat Shakarwati Farmad , the Masjids at Kodungallur , Kollam , Madayi , Barkur , Mangalore , Kasaragod, Kannur , Dharmadam , Panthalayini , and Chaliyam , were built during the era of Malik Dinar , and they are among the oldest Masjid s in the Indian subcontinent . It is believed that Malik Dinar died at Thalangara in Kasaragod town. Many Arab travelers visiting Kerala between
705-504: The Malayalam and Tulu speaking areas. Kasargod is also the first district in India to have official symbols-official tree, flower, bird, species. Until the 16th century CE, Kasaragod town was known by the name Kāññirakkōṭŭ (meaning, 'The land of kāññira Trees'). The Ancient Tamil Works of Sangam Age records that the area covering the district was part of Puzhinadu, which consists of
752-490: The Second Oommen Chandy ministry appointed a commission under the leadership of the former Chief Secretary P. Prabhakaran to study about the backwardness and issues faced by this northernmost district of Kerala and to draw up a special package for the district. In 2013, two more taluks, namely Manjeshwaram and Vellarikundu were formed in the district. Before it the district had only two Taluks. The decision to implement
799-672: The 12th century. The maritime importance of Bekal increased under the Kolathiris and Malabar became an important port town. After the Battle of Talikota in 1565 feudatory chieftains including the Keladi Nayakas (Ikkeri Nayaks) became powerful in the region. Bekal served as a hub to first dominate, then later defend Malabar. The economic importance of this port town prompted the Nayakas to fortify Bekal subsequently. Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka initiated
846-532: The 14th century, Mooshaka Kingdom was known as Kolathirinad and the Rulers as Kolathiris. The Kolathunad Kingdom at the peak of its power reportedly extended from Netravati River ( Mangalore ) in the north to Korapuzha ( Kozhikode ) in the south with Arabian Sea on the west and Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in Arabian Sea. Ramacharitam , probably
893-500: The 16th century CE, Kasargod town was known by the name Kanhirakode (may be by the meaning, 'The land of Kanhira Trees') in Malayalam . The Kumbla dynasty, who swayed over the land of southern Tulu Nadu wedged between Chandragiri River and Netravati River (including present-day Taluks of Manjeshwar and Kasaragod ) from Maipady Palace at Kumbla , had also been vassals to the Kolathunadu kingdom of North Malabar , before
940-542: The 2018 Vital Statistics published by the Government of Kerala , Kasargod district has a population of 1,390,894, roughly equal to the nation of Trinidad and Tobago or the US state of New Hampshire . The 2011 Census of India , gives the district a ranking of 375th in India (out of a total of 640 ). The district has a population density of 654 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,690/sq mi). Its population growth rate over
987-465: The 805 km long Kaveri River originates, is located closer to Ranipuram in Kerala- Karnataka border. Robert Caldwell describes the extent of Malayalam in the late 19th century as extending from Chandragiri fort and Chandragiri river in the north to Neyyar river beyond Thiruvananthapuram in the south. Tulunad, where Tulu is traditionally spoken, is said to be bound on the south by
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#17330849928161034-449: The 9th and the 14th centuries visited Kasaragod, being an important trade centre then. Duarte Barbosa, a Portuguese traveler who visited Kumbla , near Kasargod in 1514 recorded that rice being exported for coir to Maldives . According to Barbosa, the people in the southwestern Malabar coast of India from Chandragiri in the north to Kanyakumari in the south spoke a unique language, which they called as "Maliama" ( Malayalam ). Until
1081-489: The Arabian Sea from its tall observation towers, which had huge cannons a couple centuries ago. The state of Kerala is reviewing a plan to start seaplane services connecting Bekal with Kollam Ashtamudi , Kumarakom , Punnamada and famous Paravur backwaters. Bekal in Northern Kerala was one of the top ten travel destinations selected by Lonely Planet. Local roads have access to NH 66 which connects to Mangalore in
1128-621: The Chandragiri river and fort, thus including Kasaragod city within the Tulunad region. Historian N. Shyam Bhat states that at present, the Tulu nadu can linguistically be said to extend to the south up to the river Chandragiri or Payaswini, and culturally up to the Kavvayi river in the south, as the region between the Chandragiri and Kavai (Kavvayi) rivers presents the characteristics of a twilight zone between
1175-521: The administration of this area was vested with Ikkeri Nayakas . At the onset of collapse of the Vijayanagara empire, Venkappa Nayaka declared independence to Ikkery. Kumbla, Chandragiri, and Bekal are considered to be the chain of forts constructed or renovated by Shivappa Nayaka . The Chandragiri Fort is built on the southern bank of the estuary of Chandragiri River , just opposite to Kasaragod town. The Bekal Fort at Bekal , Pallikkara , which
1222-582: The coastal belt from Kozhikode to Mangalore . Politically the area was part of the Ezhimala Kingdom with its Capital at Ezhimala in present day Kannur district. The most famous King of Ezhimala was Nannan whose kingdom extended up to Gudalur and northern parts of Coimbatore. Poozhinad, along with Karkanad which included the eastern regions of Ezhimala dynasty ( Wayanad - Gudalur region with some portions of Kodagu ), had its capital at Ezhimala . The Mooshaka Kings were considered descendants of Nannan. By
1269-563: The construction of the fort and it was completed in 1650 AD by Shivappa Nayaka . Chandragiri fort near Kasargod was also built during this period. The struggles between the Kolathiries and nayaks to hold this area ended when Hyder Ali conquered the Nayakas and Bekal fell into the hands of Mysore kings . It was an important military station for Tipu Sultan when he led a military expedition to capture Malabar . The coins and artefacts found in archaeological excavations at Bekal fort indicate
1316-404: The country on the north of the Chandragiri fort and river is called by Hindus as Tuluva, the Tulu country. According to Stuart (1895) “The Kasargod taluk originally formed the southern portion of the ancient Tulua kingdom and was separated from the kingdom of Kerala by the Chandragiri river which was formerly called “Perumpula”; the river on which the fort stands is shallow but very wide and formed
1363-467: The decade 2001–2011 was 8.18%. Kasaragod has a sex ratio of 1080 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 90.09%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 4.08% and 3.74% of the population respectively. The Kerala Tulu Academy , which promotes Tulu language and literature, is functioned at Hosangadi in district. Languages of Kasaragod district (2011) Kasaragod district majorly consists of Malayalam speakers who form 82.69% of
1410-708: The farthest targets; lower holes below for striking as enemy nearer and the lowest holes to attacking enemy closest to the fort. Its solid construction resembles the Thalassery Fort and the St. Angelo Fort at Kannur built by the Dutch . During the Perumal Age Bekal was a part of Mahodayapuram. Following the decline of Mahodayapuram Perumals, Bekal came under the sovereignty of the Mushika or Kolathiri or Chirakkal Royal Family in
1457-439: The flight of steps leading to an observation tower built by Tipu Sultan . Standing at the centre of the fort, this offers views of the coastline and the towns of Kanhangad , Pallikkara , Bekal, Mavval, Kottikkulam, and Uduma. The fort's zigzag entrance and surrounding trenches reveal its defensive strategy. Holes on the outer walls are designed to defend the fort effectively from naval attacks. The upper holes meant for aiming at
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1504-459: The last formed district of kerala to date. The district is bounded by Dakshina Kannada district to the north, Western Ghats to the northeast, Kodagu district to the southeast, Kannur district to the south, and the Arabian Sea to the west. Kasaragod district has the maximum number of rivers in Kerala - 12. Kasaragod town is located on the estuary where the Chandragiri River , which
1551-624: The leadership the former Chief Secretary P. Prabhakaran to study about the backwardness and issues faced by this northernmost district of Kerala and to draw up special package for the district. In 2013, two more Taluks, namely Manjeshwaram and Vellarikundu were formed in the district. The district is the northernmost district of the State of Kerala. Kasargod is located at 12°30′N 75°00′E / 12.5°N 75.0°E / 12.5; 75.0 . It has an average elevation of 19 metres (62 feet). Ranipuram or Madathumala (1016m) peak
1598-484: The north and Calicut in the south. The nearest railway station is Kanhangad on Mangalore- Palakkad line. There are airports at Mangalore , Calicut and Kannur . Kerala State Highway connects to Kasaragod in the north and Kanhangad in the south. The nearest railway station is Bekal Fort Railway Station, Kotikulam Railway Station and Kanhangad Railway Station on Mangalore-Palakkad line. There are airports at Mangalore, Kannur and Calicut. This article related to
1645-563: The oldest literary work written in Old Malayalam , which dates back to the 12th century CE, is thought to have been written in Kasargod district as its manuscripts were discovered from Nileshwaram and the poem mentions about Ananthapura Lake Temple in Kumbla in detail. Kasaragod was known to the Arabs by the name Harkwillia . Malik Dinar Mosque at Kasaragod town is one of the oldest mosques in
1692-578: The outcome of internal dissensions. Many portions of the present-day Hosdurg taluk (Kanhangad) and Vellarikundu were parts of the Nileshwaram dynasty, who were relatives to both Kolathunadu as well as Zamorin of Calicut , in the early medieval period. The areas north to the Chandragiri river (present-day Taluks of Manjeshwaram and Kasaragod) were ruled by the Kumbala dynasty. According to local legends,
1739-465: The population. Tulu and Kannada speakers concentrated in the Northern parts of the district like Manjeshwar , Uppala , Enmakaje , Badiyadka , Kumbla and Seethangoli form a significant linguistic minority with 8.77% and 4.23% each. Other languages spoken here include Marathi (1.76%) and Konkani (1.29%) Kasargod district comes under the jurisdiction of Kannur University . Kasaragod district
1786-466: The region between Talapadi and Kavvayi rivers which constituted the erstwhile Kasaragod taluk, consisted of 32 Tulu and 32 Malayalam villages. Kannada kingdoms focused on Kasaragod in the 16th century CE. The Vijayanagara empire attacked and annexed Kasaragod from the Kolathiri Raja with Nileshwaram as one of the capital in the 16th century. During the decline of the Vijayanagara empire,
1833-413: The religious harmony that prevailed in the area. India declared Bekal Fort a special tourism area in 1992 and formed Bekal Tourism Development Corporation three years later to promote it. The fort has been featured in the song 'Uyire' (Tamil) from the movie Bombay and the song ‘Dwadashiyil’ from the Malayalam movie Madhuranombarakattu . Local roads connect to Mangalore in the north and Calicut in
1880-608: The remaining two Taluks are included in the Kanhangad subdivision. The National Highway 66 which connects the western coast of India from Mumbai to Kanyakumari passes through coastal area of the district connecting the major coastal towns of Manjeshwar , Uppala , Kumbla , Kasaragod , Udma , Bekal , Kanhangad , Nileshwaram , and Thrikaripur . It enters the district at Thalappady and goes out through Payyanur . There are State highways starting/ending at Kasaragod and Kanhangad . Total length of Major District Road (MDR)
1927-483: The representation of Kasargod in Kerala Legislative Assembly , there are 5 assembly constituencies. These are included in the Kasaragod (Lok Sabha constituency) . The district is further divided into 128 villages which together form 4 subdistricts. The major towns of the district include: Manjeshwaram and Kasargod subdistricts (Taluks) are included in the Kasaragod revenue subdivision whereas
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1974-445: The second-largest Taluk. Kasargod became a part of Kannur district of Kerala following the reorganization of states and the formation of Kerala on 1 November 1956. Later Kasargod was divided into two Taluks for the ease of administration - Kasargod and Hosdurg. Kasargod was declared a district in 1984. The inclusion of Kasaragod with Kerala has been a contentious issue as there is a sizeable population that speaks Tulu and Kannada. At
2021-576: The south. The nearest railway station is Bekal Fort Railway Station , Kanhangad Railway Station and Kotikulam Railway Station on Mangalore- Palakkad line. Nearest Airports are Mangalore International Airport , 71 km, Kannur International Airport , 101 km, and Calicut International Airport , 195 km. The song 'Uyire Uyire' from the film Bombay was shot in Bekal Fort. 12°23′32″N 75°1′57″E / 12.39222°N 75.03250°E / 12.39222; 75.03250 Bekal Bekal
2068-505: The southern boundary of the ancient Tulva kingdom. The nayars and the other females of the Kasargod taluk of south Canara, are prohibited from crossing the river.” In 1763, Hyder Ali raided Bedanoor (Bidnur), the capital of the Ikkery Naiks. His son Tippu Sultan raided much of Malabar region in Kerala. As per the Treaty of Seringapatam of 1792, Tippu surrendered Malabar, except Kanara to
2115-742: The strong presence of Mysore Sultans. Tipu Sultan's death during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War ended Mysorean control in 1799. The fort came under the British East India Company 's control and became the headquarters of the Bekal Taluk of South Canara District in Bombay presidency. The political and economic importance of Bekal and its port declined. Nearby the Mukhyaprana Temple of Hanuman and ancient Muslim mosque bear testimony to
2162-404: The time of 1951 Census of India, only 72.0% of the district's population chose their mother tongue as Malayalam . 14.2% chose Tulu and 6.3% chose Kannada. But it is noted that as per the 2011 census report only 8.8% and 4.2% of the total population in the district speak Tulu and Kannada respectively as their mother tongue. In 2012, the Second Oommen Chandy ministry appointed a commission under
2209-607: Was transferred to Madras Presidency and Kasaragod taluk was formed by replacing the erstwhile Bekal taluk. However, in the 19th century CE, Kasargod Taluk witnessed many struggles to separate the region from South Canara and to merge it with the Malabar District as it was the only Malayalam-majority region in South Canara. Kasaragod was the second-most populated Taluk in South Canara only after to Mangalore taluk , and also
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