Fort Emmanuel

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Context

• History enthusiasts aim to preserve the laterite-brick remnants of Fort Emmanuel, constructed by the Portuguese in 1503 along the beachfront.
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Fort Emmanuel

Overview

• Fort Emmanuel, also known as Fort Manuel, stands as a significant landmark at Fort Kochi Beach in Kerala, India.
• Constructed by the Portuguese in 1503, it served as a bastion symbolizing the strategic alliance between the Maharaja of Kochi and the Kingdom of Portugal. Named after Manuel I of Portugal, it holds the distinction of being the first Portuguese fort in Asia.

History

• In September 1503, Afonso de Albuquerque received permission from the King of Kochi to build Fort Emmanuel along the Arabian Sea waterfront.
• Constructed in a square shape with flanking bastions, its walls were made of double rows of coconut tree stems, firmly fastened together and protected by a wet ditch.
• Reinforced in 1538, the fort witnessed successive colonial occupations, initially by the Portuguese until 1663, then by the Dutch until 1795, and finally by the British. Over time, the fort's walls and bastions suffered damage, with much of it destroyed by the Dutch and British by 1806.

Preservation Efforts

• Today, the remnants of Fort Emmanuel, including a partially restored gun battery and other fortifications, attract tourists in Fort Kochi.
• However, concerns about its conservation persist among history enthusiasts. Efforts are underway to safeguard this historic site, preserving its colonial heritage and ensuring its cultural significance endures for future generations.