The ruins of the massive 17th-century fort along the river Payaswini, also called Chandragiri River, has an eventful past story and has experienced a good many change of hands. Centuries ago when the river was considered to be the boundary between kingdoms of Kolathunadu and Thulunadu, the capture of the latter by the strong and powerful Vijayanagara empire led to the capture of Chandragiri town on this side of the river. It was only after the decline of Vijayanagara in the 16th century that an offshoot dynasty called the Ikkeri Naikkars rose to the power and took over Chandragiri. This dynasty, also called Bedanore Naiks declared themselves as independent rulers under the rule of Vengappa Nayaka.For the defence of his kingdom against the many fighting dynasties of South India, Sivappa Naik built the Chandragiri fort in the 17th century. It was one of the few forts constructed during the same time by the Naik dynasty for the same purpose. Much later it fell into the hands of Hyder Ali of Mysore and then finally under British East India Company. The region, as well as the fort, was re-joined with Kerala after independence through the State Reorganisation Act of 1956.