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THALASSERY FORT

The Historic Thalassery fort/Tellichery fort is located in Thalassery town, Kannur district.

It is also called Thalassery Kotta, which was established by the East India Company. The fort stands as the historical monument for testimonials of colonial rule in Kerala.

In ancient times, Thalassery was known as Thalakathe Cheri. The present-day, Thalassery is derived from the word Thalakathe Cheri which means the atom above. Thalassery was an important trading center for the British as it was located to the sea. They built the Thalassery fort to export spices including the world-famous Thalassery Pepper. The Thalassery fort was built by the British in the year of 1708. Once the fort was the hub of Thalassery’s development. Hyder Ali, the king of Mysore, made failed attempt to capture the fort. It was part of his attempt to capture Malabar. His beneficiaries and son Tipu Sulthan were forced to surrender the Malabar district to the British at the end of the Third Anglo Maratha war.  

The fort was completely controlled by the British. The main area was the export of spices. Along with the exports, another objective behind the construction of the fort was to show military strengths. The fort saw by many as a symbol of the conquest of land by the pepper traders. 

The French first erected an earthen fort there as part of the fortification process at Thalassery. As a part of the trade, the British East India Company first set up a warehouse here. but the landlord went in saying that the land had not been properly repaid. Later the company started the construction of the fort with the special permission of the then king Chirakkal. 

The highest attraction of the fort is that at a glance it touches the sky. The fort is a giant with a history of time and occupation. The fort is a marvel of construction with its halls and corridors. The fortifications are enhanced by the corridors and the gates that support the cannons for use in emergencies. Two caves can be seen in the fort overlooking the sea. It is BLit in such as war that it can escape by sea in the event of an attack. The story of a tunnel that stretches from Kannur fort to Thalassery fort at a distance of about 21 km is a popular story among the ancients. Evidence for this has not yet been found, but there are many who believe this story.

This fort is located near the Muzhipppilngad beach and is mainly made of red sandstone. Thalassery fort offers a magnificent view of the Arabian Sea. Today, Thalassery fort is under the Archaeological Survey of India.  Other attractions near the fort include an ancient church, a cemetery band the Wellesley bungalow. The fort is steeped in the pages of local history with its squares, carved windows, and secret tunnels to the sea. 

The visitors can feel the history as they explore the massive, imposing fort. It's one of the reasons why it’s one of the top things to do in Thalassery. The square-shaped fort brags 10-meter-high walls built from laterite that offer fantastic views of both Thalassery and the Arabian Sea. Inside the walls can see an intact lighthouse and cottages that served as the barracks for soldiers. Between its walls, tunnels, and huge bastions, it was easy to see how the Thalassery fort was an effective defensive structure. The entrance at the top of the giant wall is adorned with various mural paintings that date back to the 18th century. There is an information gallery inside the fort that exhibits pictures of burial caves, monuments, forts, and ancient paintings.

As a historic monument, the fort is a popular tourist attraction in the Kannur district. It should be a perfect spot for history lovers, not only for them it's preferable for any kind of people.

Definitely, it is the best place to explore with your family and loved ones.