It derivers its present name from Tippu Sultan of Mysore who built a fort here in the 18th century. This was Pazhassi Raja's stronghold until the fort was seized by the British in 1805. At Pulpally is a cave in which Pazhassi Raja took refuge until his capture. On the Ambukuthi hills are the two Edakkal caves , natural rock-cut formations formed by a large split in a huge rock roofed over by other large rocks, all fixed in position through natural processes. These caves have been made famous worldwide for their ancient carvings and pictorial wall inscriptions of human and animal figures with peculiar head dresses and swastik forms and symbols.
Archaeologists say the place was one of the earliest centres of human habitation.
The last two km to the caves have to be trekked. It is best to visit the caves in the morning. Another beautiful spot accessible only by foot is the Chethalayam waterfall, about 12 km from Sultan Battery, on the Pulpally main road. If you are in search of elephants, spotted deer, gaur, sambar or sloth bear, head for the Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Muthanga wildlife Sanctuary. Situated about 15 km from Sultan Battery, it is sprawling over 344 sq km and from part of the area of the Mudumalai sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and the Bandipur sanctuary in Karnataka.