Negombo, Sri Lanka, 1671
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Negombo, Sri Lanka, 1671
The Dutch fort at Negombo; like all Dutch establishments on the island, it is heavily fortified in readiness for attack from those residents who resent their presence
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Media ID 591353
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10150166
1671 Attack Establishments Fort Fortified Heavily Lanka Presence Readiness Residents Negombo
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image transports us back in time to the Dutch fort at Negombo, Sri Lanka, in the year 1671. The Dutch had established a significant presence on the island, and their fortifications were a constant reminder of their power and authority. The heavily fortified walls of the Negombo fort are a testament to the readiness of the Dutch to defend against potential attacks from the local residents who resented their presence. The Dutch East India Company, which had a monopoly on trade in the region, had been establishing colonies and fortifications throughout Sri Lanka since the late 16th century. Negombo, located on the western coast of the island, was an important strategic position due to its proximity to the sea and its access to valuable spice trade routes. The fort, which can be seen in the foreground of the photograph, was built in the late 17th century and served as a military stronghold, administrative center, and residential complex for Dutch officials and their families. The fort's design reflects the Dutch military engineering expertise of the time, with thick walls, bastions, and moats designed to protect against enemy attacks. Despite the Dutch efforts to fortify their position, tensions between the Dutch and the local population continued to simmer. The resentment towards Dutch rule was fueled by their heavy-handed tactics, including forced labor, taxation, and the imposition of Dutch culture and religion. The fort at Negombo stood as a symbol of Dutch power and control, but it also represented the ongoing struggle for dominance between European colonizers and the indigenous population. This photograph offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in the history of Sri Lanka, a time of colonialism, conflict, and cultural exchange. It serves as a reminder of the complex and often tumultuous history of this beautiful island nation.
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