The Manora Fort, situated in the picturesque coastal village of Mallipattinam (also known as Sarabendra Rajanpattinam) in Tamil Nadu's delta districts, is a unique and significant non-religious historical monument. Standing about 65 km from Thanjavur city and 20 km from Pattukottai, the fort is a prime tourist destination. Its setting is particularly striking, with the backdrop of the azure Bay of Bengal, gentle waves, and a foreground of green coconut trees. It offers a blend of history and scenic beauty that distinguishes it from the region's concentration of ancient Hindu temples.
The monument's construction was commissioned by the Maratha ruler Serfoji II (1777–1833 CE), the most popular Maratha king of Thanjavur. The fort was built between 1814 and 1815 with a very specific political purpose: to celebrate the successful military progress of the British forces over the French, led by Napoléon Bonaparte, who was finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815. The fort, therefore, serves as a permanent symbol of the alliance between the Thanjavur kingdom and the burgeoning British power in India. This historical context is explicitly confirmed by a stone inscription at the site, which records the ruler as “a friend and ally of the British to commemorate triumphs of British Arms and downfall of Bonaparte.”
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| Thanjavur kingdom. en.wikipedia.org/ |
Above image: The Manora fort was built by Maratha ruler Serfoji II (1777-1832 CE) in 1814–1815 to commemorate the successful military advance of the British over the French led by Napoléon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) in the Battle of Waterloo (18 June 1815)........ Above image: The fort was put into dual use. It was used by the royal family as residence and it served as light-house as the area happened to be a coastal area. The stone inscription installed there says “a friend and ally of the British to commemorate triumphs of British Arms and downfall of Bonaparte”........
The name Manora is an Anglicized derivative of the word minaret, meaning tower, which accurately describes the structure's primary characteristic. Architecturally, the fort is a notable example of Maratha architecture. It is an imposing eight-story structure that rises to a height of 75 ft (23 m). Its design is distinctive: it is hexagonal in shape and strikingly resembles a pagoda, complete with arched windows, a circular internal staircase, and projecting eaves separating each story. Historically, the fort was put to dual use; it served as a residence for the royal family and simultaneously functioned as a lighthouse for coastal navigation, given its strategic location on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. For the safety of the structure and visitors, tourist access today is restricted beyond the second level. The surrounding elements, including a wall and a former moat, contribute to its overall fortress-like appearance.
Beyond its military and residential functions, the Mallipattinam area surrounding Manora is believed to have been a significant site for shipbuilding during the Maratha period. Serfoji II's reign (1798–1833) was marked by cultural patronage; he was known for his command of multiple languages and for significantly developing the world-famous Saraswathi Mahal Library. However, the independence of the Thanjavur kingdom was ultimately short-lived. Following Serfoji II's rule, the small kingdom was annexed by the British in 1855 under the Doctrine of Lapse, a policy used to seize control of princely states.
The preservation of Manora Fort has been a recurring necessity due to its exposure to the coastal environment. Initial state government conservation and restoration work was carried out between 2000 and 2003. Despite these efforts, the monument sustained significant damage from the catastrophic Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 26, 2004. In the aftermath, efforts focused on recovery and improving tourist facilities. The Tamil Nadu State Tourism Development Corporation allocated approximately ₹3,195,000 (US$47,000) for enhancing the fort's infrastructure. This development package included constructing a children's park, installing essential amenities and additional lighting, planting protective saplings, and laying a new road from Sethu Road to the fort, all aimed at safeguarding the historical site and improving the experience for both domestic and international visitors. The Manora stands as a cherished and restored landmark, symbolizing a unique chapter of Maratha and colonial-era history in South India.
