# Sultan Battery (Mangalore)

The Sultan Bateri 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 ruler 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).
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 the English by Tipu Sultan. It was also used as a fort with mounting places for cannons to prevent British forces from entering Mangalore by sea.
There is an underground storage area under the tower that was used to store gunpowder. As per historians, this underground has a secret route that leads to Mysore. Unfortunately, it is now closed and locked by Indian Tourism Authorities.
It was a 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.
If one climbs to the top of the watch tower by stairs, there is a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea, showing 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 gaining popularity among tourists.

### Historical Context: Association with Religious Persecution

Sultan Battery, constructed in 1784 by Tipu Sultan, is historically significant not only as a defensive military outpost but also due to its association with religious persecution during his rule.

#### Persecution of Mangalorean Catholics

In 1784, following Tipu Sultan's conquest of Mangalore, approximately 60,000 Mangalorean Catholics were forcibly deported to Seringapatam, where they endured 15 years of captivity, forced conversions, and executions. This period resulted in widespread death and displacement. Tipu Sultan also ordered the destruction of 27 churches, including Milagres Church (Mangalore), Rosario Cathedral, and St. Joseph’s Church. Stones from these churches were reportedly repurposed in the construction of Sultan Battery, symbolizing the suppression of Christianity in the region.

#### Persecution of Hindus and Temple Destruction

Similarly, Hindu communities in Canara and Malabar suffered forced conversions and temple destruction. The Captivity of Nairs at Seringapatam saw thousands of Hindus taken prisoner, converted, or executed. Several Hindu temples, including Kadri Manjunatha Temple and Sri Venkataramana Temple, were attacked or damaged during Tipu Sultan's military campaigns. The Sringeri Sharada Peetham, a major Hindu monastic institution, was looted and desecrated, prompting the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire to fund its restoration.

#### Symbol of a Tumultuous Past

The construction of Sultan Battery using materials from destroyed religious sites remains a symbol of this turbulent period, reflecting the broader strategy of religious persecution employed during Tipu Sultan's reign.

## 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 primary activities. The streets of Bokkapatna at sunset give the quaint feeling of a dear old village. Boloor overlooks the Gurupura River, which snakes further south and joins the Arabian Sea by interrupting the 8 km long Bengre headland, the 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.
Now, this monument is protected by the central government of India, and its responsibility is under the Archaeological Survey of India Bangalore Circle.