In the mid-18th century, the region of Pâlghât (modern-day Palakkad) was a flourishing settlement at the intersection of trade and military strategy. Nestled amidst the Western Ghats, this town was destined to play a pivotal role in the history of Malabar. In 1757, when the mighty troops of Haidar Ali first marched into Pâlghât, they laid the foundations of a fort that would shape the town's future. Situated at the southeastern corner of the cantonment, the fort was a symbol of military power with its square design, flanked by round bastions and sturdy curtains. A wide ditch—21 feet deep and 15 feet broad—surrounded the fort, making it an impenetrable stronghold for a time. However, the shifting tides of history saw the fort falling into British hands on November 15, 1783, when Colonel Fullarton’s troops overran Haidar’s garrison. After a heavy downpour weakened the enemy's defenses, the British, led by Sir Thomas Maitland, seized their chance. Fullarton’s forces su...
My name is Ashok Kizhepat I weave together stories where my ideas intertwine with the cadence of the generative transformer creating something that feels surreal and new