International Journal of Research ISSN NO:2236-6124

DE LANNOY – THE CAPTAIN OF

D. Philip Suhirtharaj Ph.D. Research Scholar (Reg. No.12543) Department of History and Research Centre (Autonomous), – 629 003. Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, – 627 012, , .

Dr. V. Ranjan Associate Professor & Head (Research Supervisor) Department of History and Research Centre Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil – 629 003. Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli – 627 012, Tamil Nadu, India.

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Abstract Travancore was a premier princely state situated at the southernmost part of the Indian subcontinent. In the 18th century Venad (Travancore) produced two illustrious rulers, viz., (1729-1758 A.D.) and Karthigai Thirunal Rama Varma (1758-1798 A.D.), popularly called . Under their able guidance and leadership Travancore rose to prominence as a powerful military state. In the famous battle fought at on 10th August, 1741, the forces of Marthanda Varma won a resounding victory over the Dutch. A large number of Dutchmen were captured prisoners, the most distinguished among them being De Lannoy who was later made the Valiya Kappithan means ‘Great Captain’ of Travancore army.

Key words: Princely State, Travancore, De Lannoy, Great Captain, Forts.

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INTRODUCTION

Travancore, the princely kingdom traces its history from very early period. The early history of Travancore is to a considerable extent shrouded in legends and tradition. Travancore, attained its territorial configuration during the reign of Marthanda Varma, who ruled from 1729 to 1758 AD. He enlarged the kingdom of Venad by his conquests, consolidated the royal authority, reorganized the administration and founded what was called modern Travancore.

Marthanda Varma enlarged his kingdom by his conquests, the old machinery of government was found inadequate to meet the changed situation. The reign of Marthanda Varma (1729 - 1758 A.D.) constitutes a formative epoch in the history of Travancore. The Dutch found Marthanda Varma a powerful rival. Marthanda Varma inflicted a severe defeat on the Dutch in

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famous (1741). A large number of Dutchmen were captured prisoners, the most distinguished among them being De Lannoy. After the defeat, the Dutch commander-in- chief Captain De Lannoy joined the King’s army in return for his life being spared, and served in it for over two decades.

After the battle of Colachel, King Marthanda Varma appointed Captain De Lannoy as the Captain of Travancore army. At first De Lannoy trained a few sepoys of the King’s Army. As a captain of the King's Army, De Lannoy gave very valuable suggestions for the improvement of discipline in the King’s Army. He took up the cause of the Travancore forces and proceeded to reorganize in a scientific manner. Thereafter De Lannoy was elevated to the position of second-in-command of the army headed by Ramayyan Dalawa.

The Travancore army was well equipped with European weapons. For the sake of efficiency, the army was divided into regiments and battalions under the captainship of Captain De- Lannoy. They were commanded by European, Eurasian as well as native commanders belonging to different communities such as , Sikhs, Patterns etc. Along the Travancore lines, troops were placed in alert. In this context Maharajah Marthanda Varma was very eager to strong and efficient defensive measures for the safety of his kingdom. So he authorized Ramayyan Dalawa to construct forts and other necessary defensive work under the direct supervision of Captain De Lannoy In this critical situation Captain De Lannoy realized that the country should be strengthened with forts. He executed several projects with great ability under his supervision.

FORTS CONSTRUCTED BY CAPTAIN DE LANNOY

Captain De Lannoy constructed forts in the north as well as in the south which stood as strong pillars of defence for nearly half a century. To ensure the safety of the Travancore State, Captain De Lannoy constructed fort, and . These are the important contribution of captain De Lannoy. De Lannoy executed the works with great speed and economy.

Padmanabhapuram Palace Fort

Padmanabhapuram was the capital of Venad rulers the erstwhile Travancore States till the closing years of the reign of Karthigai Thirunal Rama Varma. The ancient historical town Padmanabhapuram, one of the four municipalities in the district is 55km south of Trivandrum; about 2km east of and 35km. from on the Highway of Trivandrum. Padmanabhapuram is surrounded by a fort with an area of 187 acres. The ancient capital of Travancore might be constructed before AD 1601. The palace is surrounded by fertile paddy fields, coconut, groves and a village where the employees of the palace were resided once. The area of seven acres is situated in the centre of the Padmanabhapuram fort a midst hills, dales and rivers up to 1744, the fort and the palace were called Fort and Kalkulam respectively.

The palace fort of Padmanabhapuram was constructed for the purpose to save the place and the safety of the king who lived in the . The Padmanabhapuram fort which was built with mud originally dismantled and reconstructed with granite by Maharaja Marthanda Varma. The height of the walls varies from 15” to 24” according to the inclination of the ground. Resides the main gateways one on each side, there are also some mighty Travancore rulers and to the engineering skill of the builders of the period.

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The Padmanabhapuram Fort was unique in that it had large granite stones, which were said to have been placed with help of on one side and valia Ejaman a strong man and the army chief, on the other, No mortar or line was used to cement the stones. The height of the walls varies from 15' to 24' according to the inclination of the ground. The thickness of the fort wall was 35''.

The Padmanabhapuram fort, dating back to 15th century, was neglected. Even before 1,600 A.D, the fort was in existence, during the reign of Veera Ravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal (1592-1609 A.D.). Later, it was made into a granite structure furnished with bastions and gun points by Maharaja Marthanda Varma (1729-1758 A.D.), the architect of the modern Travancore. Another place existed in , Fort in Udayagiri and Vattakottai are the related segments of the Padmanabhapuram Palace. These are all having historical importance and significance.

The historical records about the fort, palace, culture of the Royal family, their attitude towards the people, their festivals, celebration, way of receiving the guests were obtained from several epigraphs and writing on dried palm leaves and hence the erect ideas are revealed in this report. The fort could not be destroyed even when the British invaded Travancore through the pass at the time of Velu Thampi Dalawa (1765-1809 A.D.).

In course of time, Captain De Lannoy was placed in charge of King's forces stationed in the Padmanabhapuram fort. He strengthened the army by adding efficient military departments and arsenals. He envisaged attacks from enemies and hence the idea of constructing a storey fort around Udayagiri hills. The Maharajah welcomed the idea and entrusted the construction.

Udayagiri Fort

Captain De Lannoy found that if the nearby hills called Udayagiri hills were maintained properly, that would serve as an additional campaign area for the garrisons and a protected place for the manufacture of the army weapons. Accordingly, De Lannoy reconstructed and strengthened the fort at Udayagiri, which is said to have been built in 1742 A.D.

The Udayagiri Fort is situated 15 kms to the North West of Nagercoil. On the way from Nagercoil to Trivandrum in the National Highway 47. Udayagiri is a fortified hill, which is 9 miles from Nagercoil. This Army fort is half mile (one k.m.) to the east of Padmanabhapuram, a well known land mark in Southern Travancore. It is known as Udayagiri. It is said that the sun rises at this hillock, and hence it is known as ‘Udayagiri’ means Sun rises in the mountain. The Chera and Venad Kings had the prefix ‘Udaya’ in their names of Udaya Marthanda Varma and hence it could be taken that the hillock is known as ‘Udayagiri’.

The Udayagiri Fort walls and ramparts which are massive “Structure 18 feet high and 15” thickness with parapets averaging 4 feet in height” are faced with huge blocks of well dressed granite. They are lined within and without with stone. The outside lining is of lacerate, imbedded in chunnam. The parapets are 3 feet thick and an average height. The inner line is of rough stone, 2 feet thickness and on average 6 feet height. The space between the inner and the outer lining consists of earth which goes to form the ramparts. Besides the gateway there are smaller inlets near three bastions.

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The fortification enclose a space of nearly 85 acres, part of which is occupied by a commanding hill of 260 feet in height’, and hence it was possible to see the approach of the enemies from within and used the gun effectively. Within the fort, barracks for the army and gun power were manufactured. The wall runs to 28-60m. It measures 18ft to 25 ft height and 37 ft width.

It was known from the Azhaghiapandiapuram Muthaliar Copper Plates, that the Venad ruler Veera Ravi Varma collected money from the Jamindars and constructed a fort in mud at Udayagiri for defence in 776 A. D. It is told that in the 10th century A. D. Rajaraja Chola destroyed the fort during the time of the Venad King Baskhara Varma and hoisted his flag with the symbol. Thereafter the place came to be called as Puliyoorkurichi. However, the mud fort was destroyed and a new granite fort was constructed at Udayagiri.

CONCLUSION

De Lannoy’s contribution to the development of Defence, construction of Forts and re- organisation of the army of South Travancore as well as his military exploits reflects him to be an extraordinary person who necessarily invites the attention of modern historians. Delannoy’s services to Christianity, his unfailing faith in God and his association with Neelakanda Pillai are noteworthy and an event of major significance.

References [1] Stein Van Gollenesse, Memoir on the , London, 1908, p.37 [2] Shungunny Menon, P., History of Travancore from the earliest times, New , 1878, p.165 [3] Kesava Menon, K.P., Kazhinja Kaalam (), Calicut, 1957, p.67. [4] Thanga Mani C., Political Social History, (Tamil), , 2005, pp.60- 61 [5] Emily Gilchrist Hatch., Travancore - Padmanabhapuram, Trivandrum, 1929, pp.230 -233. [6] Travancore Devaswom Hand Book, Trivandrum, 1970, p.30. [7] Vasudeva Poduval R., A short guide to Padmanabhapuram palace, Trivandrum, 1941, p. 21. [8] Lal Mohan, R.S., Monumental Series No.1, Nagercoil, 1979, p.2. [9] Velu Pillai T.K, Travancore State manual, Vol. II, Trivandrum, 1940, p. 1. [10] A short note on the Udayagiri Fort, Political Directorate by Archives, Vol. I, Trivandrum, p.43. [11] Travancore Information and Listener, Department of Public Information, Vol. III, Trivandrum, 1948, p.48. [12] Gopala Krishnan, M., Gazetteer of India, Kanyakumari District, 1900, p.122. [13] Padmanabhan S., History of Kanyakumari Forts, Nagercoil, 1978. p.16. [14] A short note on Udayagiri Fort, Political Directorate by Archives, Vol .I, Trivandrum, 1920, p.335. [15] Tamil Nadu State archaeological Report, Nagercoil, 1991, p.2.

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