The interactive cord installed on the Khaliyam Beach will help visitors digitally experience the Portuguese fortress.
The efforts of the Council for Promotion of Tourism in the Kozhikode district (DTPC) on digitally restoring the Portuguese fortress in Chaliyam, which was destroyed by the Zamorin Army in the 16th century.
The Haliyam Fortress holds a special place in the history of the former Calicut under Zamorins. The Portuguese built a fort at the mouth of the Bepore River around 1530, reportedly with the support of local chiefs against the Kingdom of Calicut. It was built in a strategic location to roh Zamorin, because the structure was only about 10 km since Calicut City. The Zamorin attack on the fortress in 1571 was followed by his alliance with Bijapur Sultan Adil Shah and Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar for “a joint venture against a Portuguese on the west coast,” writes Kv Krishna Ayyar in his book Zamorins of Calicut.
Official sources on Sunday (July 27, 2025) reported that extended 3D models and software for digitally re -created the Haliyam Fort for viewers on the beach. “An interactive brand will be installed on the web, allowing visitors access to the experience of scanning their mobile phones,” they added.
3D model of strength
The AR interface will offer three options – 3D strength model, video descriptions in English and Malayalam with details of its history and absorbing passage that allows users to open strength doors with extended reality. The 3D model was developed by a research team from the State Archaeology Department and the Government Art and Scientific College, Kozhikode, after exploring historical records.
Mr. Ayyar, who quotes from Zainuddin Makhdooma Thuhfathula Mujihideen, wrote that it was agreed: “Adil Shah should attack the Zamorin army, consisting of Nair and Muslims, bombarded the fortress and blocked Portuguese reinforcements. Cannanore. Soon after, the Portuguese captain surrendered. Zamorin then demolished the fortress: “He did not leave a single stone on the other.”
Portuguese efforts to check Malabar ended soon after. King Calicut later rebuilt Mishkal Mosque in Kuttichira – a higher Portuguese – using wooden boards taken from the ruined fortress of Chaliyam.
Published – 27th July 2025 23:10 is
