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Tharangambadi: A tourist’s delight
Locals seek State government’s help to protect the centuries-old Danish fort from being washed away by waves.
By
migrator
migrator
Thiruchirapalli
Though the Cauvery delta region is considered the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu for producing a bulk of the paddy crop, it has several charming spots for visitors with a strong connection to the past.
Chief among them is the former Danish enclave of Tharangambadi in Nagapattinam district. A significant tourist attraction, locals have sought the helping hand of the State government to protect the fort built here by the Danes from being washed away by sea currents.
Historical background
Harbouring an intention to set up a trade centre, the Danes set their foot in these shores on 1620 AD. Captivated by the picturesque surroundings, they entered a treaty with King Vijaya Raghunatha, of Thanjavur, and rented a piece of land at Tharangambadi for Rs 3,111 per month. They then built the majestic ‘Dansborg’ fort in the coastal town, which continues to stand the test of time and attract tourists from all quarters of the world.
Land of singing waves
According to historians here, the Danes were fascinated with the Indian sub-continent. They landed at Tharangambadi, which is often referred to as ‘land of singing waves’ due to the enchanting hymns of the sea waves.
Historical records say Vijaya Raghunatha Nayak had granted permission to King Christian IV of Denmark on May 5, 1620 to establish a trade centre at Tharangambadi. Later that year, the Denmark King purchased Tharangambadi, formerly called Tranquebar, and surrounding areas from the Thanjavur King through the Danish Navy captain Roland Crappe.
Beach Is the other majorattraction here
The beach in Tharangambadi has been identified as the one of the most Ozone-rich beaches in the world by various studies conducted by the Danes in 1960’s and Indian researchers. The ozone content in air is said to be high between April and July.
However, the presence of rich Ozone (O3) content and the role it plays in absorbing the hazardous ultraviolet rays coming from the sun remains an unknown fact for most of the locals. Though unaware of its scientific importance, residents say the beach and the fort drives the local economy by attracting visitors.
Fell under British control in 1801
Tranquebar was controlled by the British in 1801 due to the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, and restored to Denmark following the Kiel Peace treaty in 1814. It was sold, along with the other Danish settlements in India, Serampore and the Nicobars, to Great Britain in 1845. In Danish times Tranquebar was a busy port, but it lost its importance when the railway was opened to Nagapattinam.
RICH IN HISTORY
- It was a Danish colony in India from 1620-1845
- It is spelled Trankebar or Tranquebar in Danish, which came from the native Tamil, Tharangambadi
- Fort Dansborg, was built by a Danish captain named Ove Gjedde as the residence of the Governor and other officials
- The first Protestant missionaries to set foot in India were two Lutherans from Germany, who began work here in 1705. They translated Bible into Tamil
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