Tippu's Fort

 

Tippu's Fort Palakkad, Kerala

History 

 Palakkad Tippu's Fort is considered to be in the same location, since ages. The beautiful fort was built to its present grandeur, by famous ruler Hyder Ali of Mysore. The history before the reconstruction of the fort is less known. According to the historical records, King of Palakkad Achchan used to be a part of the Zamorin. However, with time, he detached himself of the rule of the Zamorins and crafted an independent state for himself. When the Zamorins attacked him, he asked for the help of Hyder Ali, who, knowing the strategic importance of Palghat, gamely took over Palakkad and gained control over the Palakkad Fort too. Since then, the place has always remained under the control of Sultans of Mysore or the British. Palakkad Fort has seen a number of rulers and has changed hands a number of times. It was taken by Colonel Wood in the year 1768. However, it was recaptured by Hyder Ali within a few months time. The fort was also captured by Colonel Fullarton in 1783 but he soon abandoned it. Later, the Zamorin troops captured it. In1790, the British invaded Palakkad Fort and recaptured it under the leadership of Colonel Stuart. They renovated it and used it as the base for their operations in this part of Kerala. The Fort was continually garrisoned until the middle of nineteenth century. Later in the twentieth century, the Fort was converted into a Taluk office.