Fort Cornwallis: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Bastion fort in George Town, Penang, Malaysia}} |
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{{EngvarB|date=November 2014}} |
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{{Infobox military installation |
{{Infobox military installation |
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|name=Fort Cornwallis |
|name=Fort Cornwallis |
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|native_name={{ |
|native_name={{lang-ms|Kota Cornwallis}}<br />{{lang-zh|康华利斯堡}}<br />{{lang-ta|கார்ன்வாலிசு கோட்டை}} |
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|location=[[George Town, Penang|George Town]], [[Penang]] |
|location=[[George Town, Penang|George Town]], [[Penang]] |
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|country=[[Malaysia]] |
|country=[[Malaysia]] |
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|image=Fort Cornwallis Penang |
|image=Fort Cornwallis, Penang 2023 01.jpg |
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|coordinates={{coord|5. |
|coordinates={{coord|5.4205|100.3439|type:landmark_region:MY|display=title,inline}} <!-- |
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--> {{designation list| embed=yes |
--> {{designation list| embed=yes |
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| designation1=WHS |
| designation1=WHS |
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|built={{Start date and age|1786|df=yes}} |
|built={{Start date and age|1786|df=yes}} |
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|builder=[[File:Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg|20px]] [[East India Company|British East India Company]] |
|builder=[[File:Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg|20px]] [[East India Company|British East India Company]] |
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|used= |
|used=1786–1881 |
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|open_to_public=Yes |
|open_to_public=Yes |
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|materials=[[Brick]] |
|materials=[[Brick]] |
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|site_other=[[Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse]]<br />[[Seri Rambai|Seri Rambai cannon]] |
|site_other=[[Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse]]<br />[[Seri Rambai|Seri Rambai cannon]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Fort Cornwallis''' is a [[bastion fort]] in [[George Town, Penang|George Town]], [[Penang]], [[Malaysia]], built by the [[British East India Company]] in the late 18th century. |
'''Fort Cornwallis''' is a [[bastion fort]] in [[George Town, Penang|George Town]], [[Penang]], [[Malaysia]], built by the [[British East India Company]] in the late 18th century. Named after the then [[Lieutenant General (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]] [[Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis|The 2nd Earl Cornwallis]] (1738–1805), the [[List of Governors of Bengal|Governor-General of Bengal]] at the time of the fort's construction, it is the largest standing fort in Malaysia. The fort never engaged in combat during its operational history. |
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It is named after the then Governor-General of [[Bengal]], [[Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis]], who had also been involved in the [[American War of Independence]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Fort Cornwallis|url=http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/web-page/places/states-of-malaysia/penang/fort-cornwallis?page=/1|work=Tourism Malaysia|accessdate=22 May 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522123103/http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/web-page/places/states-of-malaysia/penang/fort-cornwallis?page=%2F1|archivedate=22 May 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:The Map of Early Penang Showing the Malay Town on the South of the Town Center by Popham 1799.jpg|thumb|1799 map of [[George Town, Penang|George Town]], with Fort Cornwallis at the northeastern tip of the promontory.|left]] |
[[File:The Map of Early Penang Showing the Malay Town on the South of the Town Center by Popham 1799.jpg|thumb|1799 map of [[George Town, Penang|George Town]], with Fort Cornwallis at the northeastern tip of the promontory.|left]] |
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[[File:Penang_Museum_historical_painting_N164b.jpg|thumb|Engraving of Fort Cornwallis in 1804.|left]]Captain [[Francis Light]] took possession of [[Penang Island]] from the [[Sultan]] of [[Kedah]] in 1786 and built the original fort. It was a nibong ( |
[[File:Penang_Museum_historical_painting_N164b.jpg|thumb|Engraving of Fort Cornwallis in 1804.|left]] [[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] [[Francis Light]], [[Royal Navy|R.N.]], took possession of [[Penang Island]] from the [[Sultan]] of [[Kedah]] in 1786 and built the original fort. It was a ''nibong'' (a [[Malay language|Malay]] term meaning 'palm trunk') stockade with no permanent structures, covering an area of {{convert|417.6|sqft|m2}}. The fort's purpose was to protect Penang from pirates and Kedah. Captain Light, who died in 1794, renamed Penang Island as Prince of Wales Island in 1786. |
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In 1804, after the outbreak of the [[Napoleonic Wars]], and during Colonel R.T. |
In 1804, after the outbreak of the [[Napoleonic Wars]], and during [[Colonel (United Kingdom)|Colonel]] R.T. Farquhar's term as Governor of Prince of Wales Island (also known as [[Penang Island]]), Indian convict labourers rebuilt the fort using brick and stone. Fort Cornwallis was completed in 1810, at the cost of $80,000, during [[Norman Macalister]]’s term as [[List of governors of Penang|Governor of Penang]]. A moat 9 metres wide by 2 metres deep once surrounded the fort but it was filled in the 1920s due to a malaria outbreak in the area. |
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Even though the fort was originally built for the British military, its function, historically, was more administrative than defensive. For example, the judge of the Supreme Court of Penang, |
Even though the fort was originally built for the British military, its function, historically, was more administrative than defensive. For example, the judge of the Supreme Court of Penang, [[Edmond Stanley|Sir Edmond Stanley]], an [[Anglo-Irish people|Anglo-Irish]] [[barrister]], was first housed at Fort Cornwallis when the court opened on 31 May 1808. During the 1920s [[Sikhism|Sikh]] police of the [[Straits Settlements]] occupied the fort. |
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Royal Navy personnel under the direction of Rev. Peter Brown conducted an archaeological survey in July/August 1970. The fort was gazetted on 8 September 1977, under the Antiquities Act 168/1976, as an Ancient Monument and Historic site. Today, it has become one of Penang's prime tourist attractions. |
[[Royal Navy]] personnel under the direction of Rev. Peter Brown conducted an archaeological survey in July/August 1970. The fort was gazetted on 8 September 1977, under the Antiquities Act 168/1976, as an Ancient Monument and Historic site. Today, it has become one of Penang's prime tourist attractions. |
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==Architecture== |
==Architecture== |
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The Chapel at Fort Cornwallis was built in 1799. The first recorded marriage here took place that same year when John Timmers married Martina Rozells, Light's widow. The building in the southwest bastion is almost certainly not the chapel, but the main magazine; the massive roof and the surrounding buttresses are typical of magazine buildings of the period. The building is the earliest roofed structure surviving in Penang from the colonial era. |
[[Fort Cornwallis chapel|The Chapel]] at Fort Cornwallis was built in 1799. The first recorded marriage here took place that same year when John Timmers married Martina Rozells, Light's widow. The building in the southwest bastion is almost certainly not the chapel, but the main magazine; the massive roof and the surrounding buttresses are typical of magazine buildings of the period. The building is the earliest roofed structure surviving in Penang from the colonial era. |
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Old cannons decorate the fort. The largest, known as [[Seri Rambai]], was cast in 1603; in 1606 the [[Dutch East India Company]] gave it to the [[Sultan]] of [[Johore]]. In 1613, the Acehnese took possession of Seri Rambai and carried it to [[Aceh]]. In 1795, the Achenese gave it to Kuala Selangor. The British seized Seri Rambai in 1871 as booty after a [[Selangor Civil War#Tengku Kudin enters the war|punitive raid on Kuala Selangor]], and took the cannon to Penang. The government moved it to the fort in the 1950s. |
Old cannons decorate the fort. The largest, known as [[Seri Rambai]], was cast in 1603; in 1606 the [[Dutch East India Company]] gave it to the [[Sultan]] of [[Johore]]. In 1613, the Acehnese took possession of Seri Rambai and carried it to [[Aceh]]. In 1795, the Achenese gave it to Kuala Selangor. The British seized Seri Rambai in 1871 as booty after a [[Selangor Civil War#Tengku Kudin enters the war|punitive raid on Kuala Selangor]], and took the cannon to Penang. The government moved it to the fort in the 1950s. |
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==Sources== |
==Sources== |
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* "Fort Cornwallis, Penang | Malaysia Travel Guide" - http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/fort-cornwallis-penang/#ixzz0ED0j1tO0&A |
* "Fort Cornwallis, Penang | Malaysia Travel Guide" - http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/fort-cornwallis-penang/#ixzz0ED0j1tO0&A {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121103643/http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/fort-cornwallis-penang/#ixzz0ED0j1tO0&A |date=21 November 2016 }} |
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* "Fort Cornwallis, Penang | Malaysia Travel Guide" - http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/fort-cornwallis-penang/#ixzz0ED1BjBSx&A |
* "Fort Cornwallis, Penang | Malaysia Travel Guide" - http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/fort-cornwallis-penang/#ixzz0ED1BjBSx&A {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121103643/http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/fort-cornwallis-penang/#ixzz0ED1BjBSx&A |date=21 November 2016 }} |
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<references /> |
<references /> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{ |
{{commons category|Fort Cornwallis, Penang}} |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140522123103/http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/web-page/places/states-of-malaysia/penang/fort-cornwallis?page=%2F1 Tourism Malaysia - Fort Cornwallis] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140522123103/http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/web-page/places/states-of-malaysia/penang/fort-cornwallis?page=%2F1 Tourism Malaysia - Fort Cornwallis] |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in George Town, Penang]] |
[[Category:Buildings and structures in George Town, Penang]] |
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[[Category:Star forts]] |
[[Category:Star forts]] |
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[[Category:Tourist attractions in Penang]] |
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[[Category:1786 establishments in the British Empire]] |
[[Category:1786 establishments in the British Empire]] |
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[[Category:George Town, Penang]] |
[[Category:Tourist attractions in George Town, Penang]] |
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[[Category:Penang]] |
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[[Category:Tourist attractions in George Town]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:35, 19 December 2023
| Fort Cornwallis | |
|---|---|
| George Town, Penang in Malaysia | |
 | |
  Fort Cornwallis | |
| Coordinates | 5°25′14″N 100°20′38″E / 5.4205°N 100.3439°E |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iii, iv |
| Designated | 2008 (32nd session) |
| Part of | George Town UNESCO Core Zone |
| Reference no. | 1223 |
| Region | Asia-Pacific |
| Area | 38.8 m2 (418 sq ft) |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Other site facilities | Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse Seri Rambai cannon |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1786 |
| Built by | .svg){kind=small} British East India Company |
| In use | 1786–1881 |
| Materials | Brick |
Fort Cornwallis is a bastion fort in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, built by the British East India Company in the late 18th century. Named after the then Lieutenant-General The 2nd Earl Cornwallis (1738–1805), the Governor-General of Bengal at the time of the fort's construction, it is the largest standing fort in Malaysia. The fort never engaged in combat during its operational history.
History
[edit]
Captain Francis Light, R.N., took possession of Penang Island from the Sultan of Kedah in 1786 and built the original fort. It was a nibong (a Malay term meaning 'palm trunk') stockade with no permanent structures, covering an area of 417.6 square feet (38.80 m2). The fort's purpose was to protect Penang from pirates and Kedah. Captain Light, who died in 1794, renamed Penang Island as Prince of Wales Island in 1786.
In 1804, after the outbreak of the Napoleonic Wars, and during Colonel R.T. Farquhar's term as Governor of Prince of Wales Island (also known as Penang Island), Indian convict labourers rebuilt the fort using brick and stone. Fort Cornwallis was completed in 1810, at the cost of $80,000, during Norman Macalister’s term as Governor of Penang. A moat 9 metres wide by 2 metres deep once surrounded the fort but it was filled in the 1920s due to a malaria outbreak in the area.
Even though the fort was originally built for the British military, its function, historically, was more administrative than defensive. For example, the judge of the Supreme Court of Penang, Sir Edmond Stanley, an Anglo-Irish barrister, was first housed at Fort Cornwallis when the court opened on 31 May 1808. During the 1920s Sikh police of the Straits Settlements occupied the fort.
Royal Navy personnel under the direction of Rev. Peter Brown conducted an archaeological survey in July/August 1970. The fort was gazetted on 8 September 1977, under the Antiquities Act 168/1976, as an Ancient Monument and Historic site. Today, it has become one of Penang's prime tourist attractions.
Architecture
[edit]The Chapel at Fort Cornwallis was built in 1799. The first recorded marriage here took place that same year when John Timmers married Martina Rozells, Light's widow. The building in the southwest bastion is almost certainly not the chapel, but the main magazine; the massive roof and the surrounding buttresses are typical of magazine buildings of the period. The building is the earliest roofed structure surviving in Penang from the colonial era.
Old cannons decorate the fort. The largest, known as Seri Rambai, was cast in 1603; in 1606 the Dutch East India Company gave it to the Sultan of Johore. In 1613, the Acehnese took possession of Seri Rambai and carried it to Aceh. In 1795, the Achenese gave it to Kuala Selangor. The British seized Seri Rambai in 1871 as booty after a punitive raid on Kuala Selangor, and took the cannon to Penang. The government moved it to the fort in the 1950s.
A 21 m (69 ft) skeletal steel lighthouse was erected in the northeast corner of the fort in 1882. It is the second oldest lighthouse in Malaysia, after the Cape Rachado Lighthouse at Tanjung Tuan, Malacca. Originally named Fort Point Lighthouse, it was renamed Penang Harbour Lighthouse after renovation in 1914 and 1925. The State Tourism Development Committee chairman claimed in 2006 that it was the only lighthouse in Malaysia that resembles a ship's mast, and the only one in Peninsular Malaysia not serving any navigational purpose.[1]
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Entrance drawbridge of Fort Cornwallis. -
Seri Rambai Cannon and walls viewed from the Esplanade. -
Interior in February 2011 with its lighthouse in the background.
Sources
[edit]- "Fort Cornwallis, Penang | Malaysia Travel Guide" - http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/fort-cornwallis-penang/#ixzz0ED0j1tO0&A Archived 21 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- "Fort Cornwallis, Penang | Malaysia Travel Guide" - http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/fort-cornwallis-penang/#ixzz0ED1BjBSx&A Archived 21 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine
External links
[edit]