The History of Trincomalee

By AN OCTOGENERIAN

Trincomalee had derived its name from the anglicized version of the old Tamil word,‘ Thiru- kona-malai ‘ meaning ‘Lord of the Sacred Hill’. it is apparent that over the ages Trincomalee had been closely associated with the historic Kovil of Koneswaram built around 1,580 BC.

Furthermore since 400 BC, it had been the port of call of seafarers, traders and pilgrims from countries ranging from Europe, the Middle- East, Africa, China, East Asia and Australia. Acclaimed as being the third largest deep sea harbor in the world, Trinccomalee has in more modern times been the target of the Portugese, Dutch, British and even the Japanese.

In one of earliest maps of the world drawn by Ptolemy who was a renowned mathematician, astrologer , astronomer, geographer and surprisingly was also music theorist, our island was included. It has been revealed that this map had been based on his book titled ‘Geography’ or more correctly ‘Geographica’ which he had written in 150 AD and it was on this map that he had indicated our island naming it as ‘ Taprobana’. He had further indicated other prominent cities such as Anuradhapura – which he referred to as Anourogammoir and Manthai – referring to it as Magama Port and Trincomalee which he had referred to it as ‘Gokarana Bay.’ This name was derived from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘Cows Ear.’

It was a term also mentioned in the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana. It also includes a description of the mythological 10-headed demon king of ancient Ceylon named Ravana. At this stage the writer wishes to be excused for including a diversion regarding the Ramayana. A recent Sunday newspaper had referred to a debate in Parliament regarding the genealogy of Ravana. It appears that both Sinhala and Tamil MPs had claimed ‘ownership’ of Ravana by referring to their respective ‘historical and mythological’ versions. The debate had concluded with a suggestion that an archaeological study be done with the assistance of international experts.

Readers of this article would do well to ask themselves the question as to who will pay for this study?

Further reference to Trincomalee was made in 1505 when the Portuguese fleet sailed into Colombo (at that time referred to as Kolomtota) harbor and realizing the potential which lay in the commercial and strategic value of the island, decided to capture as many of the cities as possible which were located around the coastal belt and later to invade further into the interior, with the intention of being able to control the production and sale of spices especially cinnamon.

Trincomalee once more came into prominence in 1623 when the Portuguese constructed their first fort. This was on the top of Swamy Rock, referring to it as Fort Trikenemalle and later re-naming it as Fort Fredrick . It has been claimed that in building this fort they had dismantled the structure of the ancient Hindu Kovil of Koneswaram, destroyed the religious icons and used its stones, carved pillars and other building material which they considered useful.

Meanwhile King Rajasinghe II who was the ruler of the Kandyan Kingdom from 1629 to 1687, being alarmed by the intended invasion of the Portuguese sought the assistance of the Dutch to expel the Portuguese from the island. Having accomplished this task in 1656, they had in return demanded to be appointed as the major colonial power in the island. King Rajasinghe realizing that the Dutch would be a worse menace to him than the Portuguese and quoting the Sinhala phrase which translated means ‘like exchanging ginger for chillies.,’ took the precaution of constructing a fort on Ostenburg hill, which can be seen even today in the naval dockyard of Trincomalee harbor. Further proof that such a fort had been built was provided when a research worker of the Archeological Department found a Sinhala verse, which is transcribed below.

“Male, male, thembiliya venna pol male Rale, rale, muhudin damana diya rale Bale, bale, Rasing Diviyange bale Gale Kotuwa bendi Tirukanamale”.

There are three other interesting but little known facts about Trincomalee which clearly indicate the recognition and importance attached to this harbor by the countries of the West. Firstly, Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson who defeated the French fleet in the battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805 referred to Trincomalee as being the “finest harbor in the world.” Secondly, a British warship launched on October 12, 1817 was named HMS Trincomalee to commemorate the victory on September 3, 1782, of the British fleet against the French fleet off the coast of Trincomalee. Thirdly, located between Galiano Island and Saltspring Island in the state of British Colombia in Canada there exists a 19th century old channel named Trincomali in honor of the British warship HMS Trincomalee which was referred to earlier. This warship was later assigned to the Royal Navy’s Pacific station in Esquimalt, Vancouver, Canada.