Excavation at Tipu’s Fort in Feroke unearths artefacts

The state archaeology department has unearthed a bullet and a part of a weapon during an excavation at the Tipu Sultan Fort at Feroke in Kerala's Kozhikode district.

The excavation works at the western side of the fort led to the finding of these historically significant artefacts, believed to be from Tipu’s time. The bullet, made of lead, is heavy; while the weapon part, made of iron, has rusted.

The preliminary inference is that this spot is part of the area where Tipu's armoury might have stood. The excavation began on March 21 after securing the licence from the Archaeological Survey of India. The action is being taken as part of the efforts to preserve the remnants of the fort. K Krishnaraj, officer-in-charge, is leading the excavation works.

An inspection carried out using ground penetrating radar at the Tipu's Fort earlier had detected the presence of artefacts at 315 sites. Temporary signs were put up at these places and detailed inspections are now being carried out. Over the last few days, British- and Chinese-made utensils were found. The archaeological department estimates that more artefacts could be found during the excavation.

Tipu Sultan was the ruler of Mysore in the 18th century and a and a pioneer of rocket artillery.