| MALABAR, AN INTRODUCTION: | | | | and has a moat to protect it from aggressions. It has |
| Malabar lies along the southwest coast of the Indian | | | | a sea wall projecting from the fort separating the |
| peninsula and falls within the state of Kerala and. It | | | | rough sea and inland water. From the fort one can |
| lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian | | | | have a breathtaking and fascinating view of the |
| Sea. Its name is believed to an amalgamated | | | | Dharmadom Island and a natural fishing bay called the |
| derivation between the Malayalam word Mala meaning | | | | Mappila Bay Harbour. The Dharmadom Island is a small |
| Hill and the Persian (or Arabic) words Barr (Kingdom | | | | one occupying 5 acres in total area and is situated |
| port/continent). The name Malabar also has | | | | about 100 meters from the mainland in the Arabian |
| connotations to mean the hill country, a name well | | | | Sea and the Mappila Bay is a natural fishing bay that |
| suited to its physical characteristics. Malabar is also | | | | is being turned into a modern fishing harbour. The |
| used by ecologists to refer to the tropical moist | | | | only Muslim Dynasty of Kerala-The Arakkal family |
| forests of southwestern India. It is one of the oldest | | | | ruled from nearby location. As a reminder of its past, |
| inhabited areas of Asia and the ancestors of today's | | | | the Arakkal Mosque and its erstwhile palace are |
| population have inhabited the region for centuries. | | | | located nearby. |
| This region formed part of the ancient kingdom of | | | | A seashore fort, it appears to be etched against the |
| the Cheras for centuries. It was absorbed as a part | | | | blue skylines and is a beautiful sight especially in the |
| of the Great Hindu Empire, The Vijayanagara or the | | | | early mornings and sunset. Needless to say it's a |
| city of Victory in the 15th Century. The capital of the | | | | photographer's delight. Its Imposing walls have |
| empire was located at Hampi. Under the combined | | | | remained an Icon of Portuguese power on the |
| onslaught of its rival Muslim armies, Vijayanagara fell | | | | Malabar Coast. Surprisingly, despite the typical Indian |
| after the battle of Talikota in 1565. The destruction | | | | disdain for history and its remnants, this fort has |
| of the kingdom resulted in the emergence of local, | | | | been well maintained. One of the dominant |
| yet powerful rulers. Considering its historical | | | | characteristics of this fort is its large field guns |
| importance and prosperous spice trade, the region | | | | pointing out menacingly from the bastions. This fort |
| was coveted by the local rulers as well as the | | | | symbolizes dominance and power. It is one of the |
| colonialists. Earlier dominated by the Portuguese | | | | most frequented politico-commercial structures. |
| followed by the Dutch and subsequently the English, | | | | Adding to its mysterious aura is its chequered history. |
| this was a region to die for! The region finally came | | | | It changed hands many times over. On August 1509 |
| under British rule in the 18th century, during and after | | | | Almeida refused to accept the appointment of |
| the Anglo-Mysore Wars. | | | | Afonso de Albuquerque's as the new Portuguese |
| Today's Malabar region predominantly comprises of | | | | governor. Desperate to continue as the boss of what |
| the districts of Kannur, Kozhikode, Kasaragode, | | | | he considered "the gains of his hard work"; he went |
| Wayanad etc. In keeping with its military past, the | | | | to war with Albuquerque in what is today known as |
| region comprises of many forts. There are mainly | | | | the naval Battle of Diu. After defeating his fleet |
| five standing forts in and around the Region-the St. | | | | Almeida arrested Albuquerque and imprisoned him in |
| Angelo's Fort, Thalassery Fort, the Bekal Fort, | | | | this fortress. He obtained his freedom only after |
| Chandragiri Fort and the Hosdurg Fort. This article is | | | | three months of confinement, after the arrival of a |
| the first of the series and will explore the St. Angelo's | | | | larger fleet from Portugal in October 1509. After the |
| Fort or the Kannur Kotta (Kotta in Malayalam means | | | | mutiny was suppressed, Albuquerque went on to be |
| Fort). | | | | the governor. |
| St. Angelo's Fort (also known as Kannur Fort or | | | | In 1663, the fort was captured by the Dutch from |
| Kannur Kota), is a fort facing the Arabian Sea, | | | | the Portuguese. They sold it to Ali Raja (Belonging to |
| situated 3 km from the town of Kannur. Kannur | | | | the Arakkal Dynasty) of Kannur. After the ascend of |
| located in the green & beautiful state of Kerala | | | | the British in Kerala, they aspired to control the fort |
| in India. It has always been a political nerve centre. | | | | that had by this time become the locus of power in |
| This characteristic of the place is maintained even | | | | the Malabar Coast. In 1790, the British seized control |
| today-it is still the hotbed of local politics. Considering | | | | of the fort. Understanding its strategic importance as |
| its association with the lucrative spice trade, it was | | | | well as its place in the minds of the local populace, |
| also the playground of colonialists like the Portuguese, | | | | they renovated & strengthened it and |
| Dutch & English. As is well known, architecture | | | | transformed it as their most important military station |
| can convey many perceptions including that of | | | | in Malabar. According to lore, the British connected |
| strength. The forts were predominantly meant to | | | | the St. Angelo's fort to the Thalassery Fort through |
| store spices and other items for trade, offer safety | | | | a secret underground tunnel. There could be some |
| to colonial officers and also at times a prison for | | | | truth in it. Thalassery fort was the first place from |
| political detainees. The forts primarily conveyed to | | | | where the British started their "trade". Thalassery |
| the local populace a sense of its occupant's | | | | fort is also located at a distance from the St. |
| invincibility. Their importance is such that they are | | | | Angelo's fort and such a tunnel would have come in |
| imprinted in the psyche of the inhabitants. | | | | handy in case of an attack at either of these |
| History | | | | locations. As a reminder of its glorious past, the |
| St. Angelo's Fort was built in 1505 by Dom Francisco | | | | barracks, the magazine, and its cannons are still intact |
| de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India and | | | | in the fort. A painting of this fort and the fishing |
| is on the Arabian Sea about 3 km west from Kannur | | | | harbour behind it can be seen in the Rijksmuseum in |
| town in Northern Kerala. It is a massive triangular | | | | Amsterdam. |
| laterite fort and characterized by flanking bastions | | | | |