Will Tarangambadi beach, once a commercial port in ancient times, be revitalized? As tourists expect.
The historical town of Tharangambadi
Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai are the beautiful delta districts bordering the river Cauvery. Although the entire delta is a tourist destination, certain areas have special historical significance.
As such, Tharangambadi is a historic town located in the estuary where the Cauvery River meets the Bay of Bengal. In the early 17th century AD, maritime trading companies were established by the European colonial governments at Tharangambadi, now under Mayiladuthurai district.
Agreement with the King of Tanjore
The Danish East India Company was established in the year 1616 in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. An admiral Owkit from that country entered into a treaty in 1620 with King Raghunatha Nayaka, the then ruler of the united Tanjore (present-day Tanjore, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts).
Accordingly, the annual rent was fixed at Rs.3,111 and the Danish obtained permission to collect taxes from the neighboring villages of Tharangambadi. At that time, a majestic fort was also built on the coast of Tharangambadi. The contract for this was put on a gold leaf. The manuscript is preserved in the Danish Government Archives in Copenhagen.
Primary port
Originally the area was a fishing village. After the construction of the fort, Tharangambadi became a major commercial port for the export of cotton and textiles. In 1845, Tharangambadi and the fort were sold to the British.
After the independence of India in 1947, the fort was under the responsibility of the central government. Since 1978, the Danish Fort has come under the control of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Survey. Since then the public was allowed to visit the fort.
There is a museum on the top floor of the fort and a beautiful park on the ground floor. The fort also has an old and renovated soldiers’ quarters, a food pantry, an explosives depot, and a water storage room. These attract tourists.
From different states of India, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy to see the ancient fort. A large number of tourists from foreign countries including Singapore and Malaysia visit Tharangambadi.
Update
A few years ago, the Danish Fort was renovated with the help of the Asian Development Bank at a cost of Rs. 4 crore 83 lakhs for the tourism sector. A toilet and bath was constructed at a cost of Rs.15 lakh by Tarangambadi municipality. At a cost of Rs.7 lakh, wooden seats, 34 dustbins and 44 traditional electric lights were installed on the beach.
These facilities were useful for tourists. Now electric lights, dustbins and wooden seats have been smashed by anti-social elements. As a result, Tarangambadi tourist spot has lost its luster.
Expect tourists
It is the pain of the public that proper action has not been taken to rectify these. Security should be strengthened in Tharangambadi beach area and action should be taken against anti-social elements.
Tourists are looking forward to rejuvenating the beach by improving lighting and seating facilities in Tharangambadi beach area.
‘Seeganpalgu’ learned Tamil in Tharangambadi
Among those who came to Tharangambadi, Seeganpalgu was prominent. He was a German who arrived at Tharangambadi in July 1706. He learned Portuguese and Tamil from the workers around him. He studied Tamil with an old poet. Historical records say that he memorized 5,000 Tamil words with the help of his translator, Alapoo, and practiced the Tamil alphabet by writing with his finger on the beach sand.
2nd largest castle in Danish style
“The 2nd largest fort in Danish style is Tharangambadi Fort. The first one is ‘Kronborg’ Fort. The Danish style fort was built in Tharangambadi with the help of local laborers”