fort of neglect

[padmanabha]

The Udayagiri Fort a monument to the Dutch connection of the Princely Travancore State, close to the lands end is on the verge of ruins.

The Fort 60kms by road from Thiruvananthapuram was built in the year 1600 AD. It was renovated by Anizham Tirunal Marthanda Varma, in 1744 AD. The Fort encompasses an area of 186 acres. In fact it was built around a rocky mountain 260ft high. From its summit, nearby and not so near by places like Velimala, Mandacaud, Thackalai, and Kanyakumari can be seen. The fort is 4 kms long and its height varies between 24 and 15 ft. It was Thycaud Vishnu Tarathan Nampoothiri who designed its construction. The temple corridor at the Padmanabha Temple was also designed by him.

In 1741, the historic battle of Colachel took place between Travancore and the Dutch. The Dutch soldiers Eustachian De’ Llannoy and Donadi and many others were captured and presented before the Maharaja. The Maharaja instead of punishing them utilized their talent in warfare. De’llannoy became the Valia capithan (naval chief) and served Travancore for 37 years. Under him Travancore navy became very powerful. De’llanoy led Travancore to victory over the second battle with the Dutch and with the mighty Kingdom of Kochi.

There is a catholic chapel where De’llanoy and his family members were buried. Though the Fort has now fallen on bad days, De’llannoy’s tomb is intact. Over grown bushes make it difficult for a visitor to identify the tomb.

Back to the Fort, it has 10 bastions. Creepers tangled our toes as we walk along. Wild plants, strewn with colorful flowers mask the granite structure. Their roots have deeply penetrated developing cracks in the structure. The huge wooden doors at the entrance are tampered. During day time cattle graze lavishly.


For all its antiquity the Tamil Nadu archaeological department has no control over the Fort. It comes under the PWD. The department has little interest in the Fort is evident. Tamil Nadu can afford to be indifferent. But we can not. The history of Travancore will be incomplete without Colachel, the Udayagiri Fort and De’llannoy.

The famous Padmanabhapuram Palace is built within the fort, which is under the control of Kerala Government. But the Fort is left to neglect by all.

[pradheep]

We neglect our rich culture and so no wonder we do not respect anything that is antique. These symbols would remind everyone how out of our ignorance we fell as slaves to others. We should inculcate these information to our children and we should ourselves take initiatives to these. Please bring an awareness about this in TVM.