St Thomas Fort Explained

Fort Thomas (Tangasseri Fort)
Other Name:	Fortaleza da São Tomé
Native Language:	Malayalam
Designation1 Type:	Cultural
Designation1 Free1name:	State Party
Designation1 Free2name:	Region
Built:	1518
Architect:	Portuguese
Architecture:	Portuguese Colonial, Built using sandstone and lime mortar
Location:	Tangasseri, Kollam city, Kerala, India
Coordinates:	8.8816°N 76.5685°W

Fort Thomas or St. Thomas Fort or Fortaleza da São Tomé, also known as Tangasseri Fort, is a ruined fort located in the beach town of Tangasseri on the shores of the Arabian Sea in the city of Kollam, Kerala, India. It is located around from the city center of Kollam and from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.^[1]

History

Tangasseri was associated with the Chinese trade from the first millennium AD and later colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British to become the "gold village". According to Historians, Captain Rodriguez came to Quilon and was appointed as the captain of the factory and trade, with permission from the queen. St.Thomas Fort (once known as Fortaleza da São Tomé) was built by the Portuguese under Afonso de Albuquerque for the protection of the newly developed trade. In 1505 the Portuguese established a trading port here, and in 1518 established its sovereignty through the construction of Fort St. Thomas. Later in 1661 the town and the fort were handed over to the Dutch who made it the capital of Dutch Malabar. The Dutch occupied the fort for several years. In 1795, the British East India Company took possession of the fort. In 1823 Fort St. Thomas accepted a lease by Travancore from the British government for a period of twenty years.^{[2] [3]}

Fort St. Thomas was originally around tall. Today, the remains of the fort, popularly known as "Tangasseri fort" remain facing the beach. The government of India has taken over the fort and it is being considered an historical landmark. Restoration of the fort is ongoing. At present, the fort is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).^[4]

External links

• "Mining rampant at Tangasseri fort"
• "Tangaserri a brief history"

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kollam Mayor inspects Tangasseri Fort . The Hindu . 1 February 2007 . 23 November 2016.
2. News: Parishes – Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon . Kollam, India . 2 December 2014 . Parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon.
3. Web site: St Thomas Fort in Tangasseri – Kollam . Colonial Voyage . 23 November 2016.
4. Web site: Mining rampant at Tangasseri Fort . The Hindu . 30 January 2007 . 23 November 2016.