The present state of Kerala was formed in 1956 incorporating the territories of erstwhile states of Travancore, Cochin and parts of British Malabar. Some territories of south Kanara or Tulunadu are today parts of north Kerala and some territories of Travancore state in far south are today parts of Tamil Nadu state.
There were numerous forts and fortifications along the land stretch of Kerala. The word 'kottd found associated as prefix or suffix to place names indicate the prevalence of forts in many areas across Kerala. Forts have played a crucial role in delineating the history of the region. Many of the old forts were constructed using mud and timber or combinations of both and have been lost in ravages of wars and time. Dresses stone became popular in the constructions of forts in Kerala, after the advent of European colonist and many surviving forts belong to this period.
There has been no holistic work on the forts of Kerala. The objective of this monograph, which is first of its kind, is to present a brief historical and architectural account of some of the forts in Kerala. History and architecture of 32 forts have been dealt in this book. It has been written and formatted with lot of photographs and plans with a view to make it appealing and conveyable equally to students, connoisseur of history, tourists, and the general public.
Dr. Ajit Kumar (b.1959) did his M.A(AINCE Archonology) from Deccan Callego, University of Puno (1982), P.G. Diploma from School of Archaeology. ASI, New Delhi (1983), and PhD from Tomil. University, Thanjavur (2004). He started his career as an Assistant Archaeologist, in the Archaeological Survey of India and served the organisation from 1984 to1997. He joined the University of Kerala in 1997 and founded the Department of Archaeology, in the University.
He was a member of the Senate, University of Kerala (1998-2000). He was the Chairman, Board of Studies in Archaeology and a Member of the Faculty of Social Science and Member the Academic Council in the, University of Kerala. He is research guide. He was the Chairman of the Departmental Council, and Doctoral Committee in Archaeology, University of Kerala. He was also Member of the Board of Studies in History and Archaeology, University of Madras. Was a Member of the Expert advisory committee for Export of non-antiquities by Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India, Trichur Circle, Trichur. Was a Member of the History- Archaeology Research Consultative Panel on Pattnam Excavations. Was a member of the Expert Committee constituted by The Ministry of Culture, Government of Kerala, for the Inscription of Edakkal cave at Wayanad into the World Heritage List. He was the Director of the Excavations held for three seasons at the Historic sites of Vizhinjam (2010-11; 2011-2012 and 2012-2013) and for excavation in Arikady/Kumbla fort (2015). He features in the panel of eminent archaeologist constituted by the Secretary, Department of culture, Government of India.
He has attended international conferences in Sri Lanku, Iran and Sweden and presented papers. He has presented papers and also chaired sessions in various national and international Seminars/Conferences. He has also delivered special and invited lectures across various Universities and academic bodies across in India.
He has over 50 research articles published in books and journals. Books edited him by him singly indude Archaeology in Kerala: Emerging Trends, (2011); Harappan Culture Problems and Issues (2012); Rock Art: Recent Researches and New Perspectives (Festschrift to Padma Shri. Dr. Yashodhar Mathpal), (2015). Books jointly edited includes, The Megalithic Culture of South India, (with K.N.Dikshit), (2014). Kailashnath Hetu (Essays in Prehistory, Protohistory and Historical Archaeology), Festschrift to Shri. K.N.Dikshit, (with Rajesh.S.V and Abhayan.G.S) (2017). He has also authored the book Sculptural Art in Early Buddhist (Hinayana) Caves of Western Maharashtra (A Styla.-Chrono Study) (2013). He also co-edits, Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, published by the Department of Archaeology, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram.
Forts and fortifications are not just monuments of the past but they are also historical relics and mute witnesses to many battles that were fought to retain or gain territorial authority. The objective of this monograph is to present a brief historical and architectural account of forts, which have played determinable role in moulding the political scenario of ancient Kerala region.
Place names with the word 'kotta' as prefix or suffix indicate the existence of forts in that area. There are aplenty places along the length and breadth of Kerala with this term or usage. However, many of these places harbour no trace of any fort or fortifications today. This is because many of the forts in Kerala used to be erected using mud or timber or a combination of both, with a moat running exteriorly along it and hence perished leaving no traces. It is with the advent of the Europeans that stone came to be extensively used in fort construction in Kerala. Consequently, many of the local chieftains who had retained some of the traditional building methods also switched over to constructing forts with dressed stone as revetting. It is the stone built forts that have withstood the ravages of time and this work primarily focuses on them.
Some forts in present day north Kerala were originally part of the Tulunadu region of south Kanara and some forts of south Kerala that were originally part of the Travancore dynasty are today in Tamil Nadu state. In this monograph, Travancore forts in Tamil Nadu too have been incorporated.
Preparation of this monograph on the Forts of Kerala required extensive field trips, exploration-excavation and photo-documentation. These activities would not have been possible without the funds received from UGC through the University of Kerala. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the UGC and University authorities for funding the project.
I wish to thank the Director General, Archaeological Survey of India and his colleagues for granting us permission to survey their protected monuments and conducting excavations in Kumbla fort. I wish to also thank Dr.G.Premkumar, former Director, Directorate of Archaeology, Government of Kerala and his colleagues especially Shri. Krishna Raj. K, for their cordial cooperation and encouragement towards the project. Thanks also to Mrs. T. Sreelakshmi, Superintending Archaeologist, Thrissur Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India and her colleagues for coordinating and supporting the activities related to the project in the monuments under her jurisdiction. Dr. S.Hemachandran, former Director, Department of Archaeology, Government of Kerala, deserves a special thanks for his valuable guidance, assistance, and suggestions in carrying out the field work of this project.
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