William Fort

Chettuva, Kerala, India

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William Fort, locally known as Chettuva Fort, is a historic fort located in Chettuva, Thrissur District of Kerala.

Constructed in 1714 by the Dutch East India Company with permission from the Kingdom of Cochin, it served as a military base to resist incursions from the Zamorin of Calicut. Over time, the fort was captured and recaptured by different powers including the Zamorin, Tipu Sultan, the British Empire, and the Kingdom of Mysore.

Tipu Sultan finally took control, partially demolishing the fort and making some modifications. The fort originally spread across five acres with walls about 12 feet thick, but it is now in a dilapidated state, suffering from neglect and partial destruction from flooding and battles.

Conservation efforts have been initiated by the State Archaeological Department since 2010 to preserve this notable historical monument. Local legends suggest the existence of underground tunnels used by Tipu Sultan for travel between forts. The fort is significant as the only Dutch-built fort in Kerala and reflects the region’s complex colonial and military history.