Batticaloa fort
The Batticaloa Fort (Tamil: மட்டக்களப்புக் கோட்டை, romanized: Maṭṭakkaḷappuk Kōṭṭai; Sinhala: මඩකලපුව බලකොටුව, romanized: Madakalapuwa Balakotuwa) was built by the Portuguese in 1628 and was captured by the Dutch on 18 May 1638.[2] From 1795, the fort was used by the British.
| Batticaloa Fort Portuguese/Dutch Fort | |
|---|---|
| Part of Batticaloa | |
| Batticaloa, Sri Lanka | |
_fort.jpg.webp) Batticaloa Fort | |
  Batticaloa Fort Portuguese/Dutch Fort | |
| Coordinates | 7.711901°N 81.702377°E |
| Type | Defence fort |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Government of Sri Lanka |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Good |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1628[1] |
| Built by | Portuguese and Dutch |
| Materials | Granite Stones and coral |
| Battles/wars | Several battles |
The fort has a structure of four bastions and is protected by the Batticaloa Lagoon on two sides and a canal on the other two sides. The fort is still in reasonable condition and currently houses several local administrative departments of the Sri Lanka government in new buildings, which are located within the old structure.[3]
Timeline
Timeline of Batticaloa fort in colonial time.[4]
- 1622 – Construction began by Portuguese
- 1628 – Construction completed
- 1638 – Dutch captured
- 1639 – Fort destroyed by Dutch
- 1665 – Reconstruction started
- 1682 – Renovation
- 1707 – Front bastion and complex completed
- 1766 – Ceded to Kandyan kingdom
- 1796 – Captured by British
See also
Picture gallery
- Batticaloa fort
Antique print of the Batticaloa Fort by Baldaeus, 1672
A view from the main entrance (south-east)
Cannon at the top, looking towards Kallady bridge/Indian Ocean. Watchtower in one of the bastions
References
- "Major Attractions in Batticaloa District – Batticaloa Fort". Eastern Provincial Council. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
- "Archeological remains in Batticaloa: The Dutch and the Portuguese in East". Retrieved 19 February 2014.
- "Batticaloa Fort". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- "The "Dutch fort" - Batticaloa". Ministry of Public Administration & Home Affairs and District Secretariat, Batticaloa. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- Nelson, W. A.; de Silva, R. K. (2004). The Dutch Forts of Sri Lanka – The Military Monuments of Ceylon. Sri Lanka Netherlands Association.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Batticaloa Portuguese fort.
| Ancient Forts |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Colonial Forts | ||
Less or no contribution/renovation works of Dutch are marked by † symbol under "Portuguese Forts", and others are considered as Dutch forts too. | ||
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