Sultan Battery (Mangalore)

Sultan Battery Watch Tower
Sultan Battery watch tower
Location Boloor, Mangalore
Built Tipu Sultan
Top view

The Sultan Battery watch tower, constructed in 1784 by Tipu Sultan is in Boloor, 4 km from the centre of Mangalore city, the chief port city in the state of Karnataka, India.

History

Boloor is known for the watch tower constructed in the era of the emperor Tipu Sultan such that now the area surrounding the decaying structure is its namesake. The watch tower was constructed 15 years before his death in 1784 A.D. The place was previously known as Sultan's Battery (see artillery battery). It was constructed from stones of 23 churches destroyed by Tipu Sultan, during his 15-year imprisonment of the Mangalorean Catholics and the other Christians.[1]

Sultan Battery was built of black stones and constructed to obstruct war ships from entering the river which was the major route for English invasion but was then retrieved from English by Tipu Sultan. Though the place holds the watch tower, it looks like a fort with mounting places for cannons. There is an underground storage area under the tower that was used to store gunpowder. It was the major dockyard and arsenal of the ruler. It was a naval station and was of great importance to the sultan as he used it to intercept enemy warships and prevent them from docking.

Tipu Sultan

If one climbs to the top of the watch tower by stairs, there is a panoramic view of Arabian Sea shows a blend of natural and man-made beauty. It is now nearly deserted with a few shacks and a boating club nearby, but it is gathering popularity among tourists.

Geography

The coastal area of Boloor and the southern adjoining area of Bokkapatna are more apt to be termed Mangalorean villages, than Mangalorean suburbs, given the general traditional lifestyle most residents of the areas still fish and trade as the primary activities. The streets of Bokkapatna at sunset give the quaint feeling of a dear old village. Boloor overlooks the Gurpura river which snakes further south and joins the Arabian sea by interrupting the 8 km long Bengre headland, primary breakwater of the city of Mangalore.

Boloor, primarily Sultan Battery, is linked to the rest of the city by bus no. 16 that makes trips to and from at intervals of 15–20 minutes.

References

  1. ↑ "Deportation & The Konkani Christian Captivity at Srirangapatna (February 24, 1784 Ash Wednesday)". Mangalore: Daijiworld Media. Retrieved 2008-02-29.


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