Palakkad Fort is an old fort situated in the heart of Palakkad city of Kerala state, southern India. It was recaptured and rebuilt grandly by Sultan Hyder Ali in 1766 A.D and remains one of the best-preserved forts in Kerala.Tippu’s Fort is an ancient fort situated in the heart of Palakkad town in Kerala. It is one of the best preserved heritage forts in Kerala, and among the must-visit places during Palakkad trip.
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.
At the entrance to the fort, there is a temple known as Kota ambalam (fort temple) with Lord Hanuman as the main deity. Inside, there is a Martyr’s Column and an open-air auditorium called Rappadi, (named after a songbird that sings at night). The Palakkad sub-jail is also situated inside the fort. The Kotta Maidan played an important role during the invasion of various armies. It housed a stable for the horses and elephants that were used by Tipu’s troops. Today, it is a popular venue for expos, fairs, circuses and so on.
