Palakkad Fort: Where History Stands Still

In the heart of Palakkad town stands a massive granite structure, weathered yet proud — the Palakkad Fort, also known as Tipu’s Fort. With its towering walls, deep moat, and quiet corridors, the fort tells tales of battles, diplomacy, and resilience.

The fort was originally constructed in the early 18th century by Paliyath Achchan, the local chieftain of Palakkad and a tributary to the Zamorin of Calicut.Its strategic position near the Palakkad Gap — a vital mountain pass through the Western Ghats — made it important for military and trade control between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

In 1766, Hyder Ali, the Sultan of Mysore, invaded Malabar and captured the Palakkad Fort. Recognizing its strategic importance, he undertook major renovations, rebuilding the structure with stone and granite. These enhancements gave the fort its present-day durability and imposing appearance. By strengthening the fort, Hyder Ali secured a crucial foothold in Kerala, establishing it as a southern defense base to expand and solidify Mysore’s influence in the region.Later, it became a stronghold for Hyder’s son, Tipu Sultan, during his fierce resistance against British rule. The British East India Company eventually took control of the fort in the late 18th century, turning it into a base for administrative and military purposes.