Information on Hosdurg Fort (Kasaragod, Kerala) - History & Architecture

Hosdurg Fort is located near Kanchankad Taluk, Kasargod District, Kerala State in India. It is a heritage site in forts of Kerala State. This fort is a 4 Km away from the Kanchankad town. It is the best place to visit by tourist for its historical glory and its architectural values.

Hosdurg Fort Architecture

Hosdurg Fort is a largest fortification built on a citadel mount in Kanchankad. This fort is totally constructed with mount clay bricks. Theses bricks are broken from the lower layers of Western Ghats, which are normally a semi sold clay type. These are cut into large brick shape and used in construction from those days. These bricks were used in fortification, since it was very difficult to destroy by any hard weapons or by the canon blast. The purpose of using these mount clay bricks is that it gets harder and harder in the passage of time. Since, it develops green tiny funguses and small weeds which normally grow on these bricks in the event of south west and north east monsoons in Kerala. This greenery on the walls will last till the summer which breaths cool inside the fort. This greenery on the fort walls looks very pleasant all time. This fort is a typical Dravidian architectural work. It was not built on large rampart to give it protection. Inside there are large space of garrison purpose. It had a watch towers on all directions. It has a solid arched door entrances. There are many storage spaces built inside the fort. This fort occupied 26 acres of land in this citadel in a round shape, which looks very magnificent. This fort surrounding ha many caves, said to be a secret cannel links.

Hosdurg Fort History

Hosdurg Fort was built around 1733 AD by the Keladi clan named Nayak Somashekara (1714 AD to 1739 AD). Theses clans were basically from the states of Karnataka who ruled in the Tungabhadra River regions in the southern Karnataka. Shimoga was their main area of power. This fort was built as an expansion measures to wards Malabar region. Keladi kingdom came to existence as the Vijayanagara Empire lost its importance in south. Somashekara Nayak was believed to be a great empire builder towards the south. He gave more importance to trade and commerce with the colonial countries like the Dutch and Portugal's. During this time spice trade was introduced to Europe and the Kerala State was producing in abundance. This made his interest towards the Malabar Coast. This fort was the very near to sea and rivers, which made it a trade center in those times. It is believed that the Arab usually comes to this fort for trading purposes. This fort is also called the Kachangad Fort in those days. These Nayak's were popular in the northern parts of Kerala for their cultural works. In the 1763 AD they were overcome by the Mysore kingdom led by warrior Hyder Ali. From this time there were fights between colonial peoples started with in local clans and this fort was in major attacks and lost few portions in the wars of aggression.

Hosdurg Fort Tourism Importance

Hosdurg Fort is of touristic importance for its standing glory of more than two centuries. It is a best place for fort lovers and historic buffs. This fort is open to public. Presently a portion of this fort is occupied by its state local bodies and a government lower school is functioning here. This fort and its surroundings are of scenic beauties. The Arabian Sea, Kachangad Town and Talapadi River are visible from this fort. This fort is well maintained by the archeological department of Kerala State.