Sultan Battery Watchtower.
Built by Tipu Sultan in 1784 to guard the Gurupur river estuary against British warships, the watchtower sits at Boloor 4km from the city centre — but most Mangalore visitors do not know Tipu had a coastal Mangalore presence (the city was Bednore-Sultanate territory before the 1799 Seringapatam fall). The site is unsigned from NH-66 and shares its riverbank with fishing boats, so first-time visitors often miss it.WHY NOBODY KNOWS
Square laterite watchtower with cannon-portholes facing the estuary mouth, built from blackstone laterite typical of South Canara coastal forts. Climb the 8m tower for a 360-degree view of the Gurupur-Netravati confluence and Tannirbhavi Beach across the water. A small ferry (₹10 one-way) crosses to Tannirbhavi from the adjacent jetty. ASI-protected; free entry; sunrise to sunset.
