Elephant Pass Fort (Tamil: ஆனையிறவுக் கோட்டை, romanized: Āṉaiyiṟavuk Kōṭṭai; Sinhala: අලිමංකඩ බලකොටුව Alimankada Balakotuwa) was a small fort in the strategically important spot as it linked Jaffna peninsula to the mainland. It was built by the Dutch in 1776 on the banks of the Jaffna lagoon.[1]
| Elephant Pass Fort | |
|---|---|
| Elephant Pass, Sri Lanka | |
  Elephant Pass Fort | |
| Coordinates | 9°31′24″N 80°24′29″E / 9.523343°N 80.408080°E |
| Type | Defence fort |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Destroyed |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1776 |
| Built by | Dutch |
| Materials | Granite Stones |
| Battles/wars | Many |
The fort was served as a defensive structure to protect the Jaffna peninsula. It was like a well-fortified stockade or a watch post. It had two bastions, and each bastion was equipped with four cannons.[2] Elephant Pass Fort was linearly located with Fort Beschutter and Fort Pass Pyl in the narrow part of the peninsula. During the British rule, the fort was used as a rest house. It was destroyed during the Sri Lankan civil war.
References
edit- ^ "A feel of Sri Lanka: The road from Elephant Pass". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
- ^ "Dutch Fort at Elephant Pass". Retrieved 9 November 2014.
- 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
edit- "Pass of a thousand battles" (PDF). (640 KB)