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Seniors Travel > Destinations > Danish history in India
Danish history in India
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17th Dec 2010
India is well known for its links to the British Raj but very few people are aware of a piece of forgotten Danish heritage tucked away on the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu.
A piece of Danish history lives on in the sleepy Tamil fishing costal village of Tarangambadi 'the place of the singing waves'. 160 miles from Madras on the Delta of the River Cauvery, colonised and renamed Tranquebar by Danish sailors, it became the only pocket of Danish culture in India. Its strategic location on the Bay of Bengal encouraged the Danes to use Tranquebar to expand trade in the 17th century.
Apparently Ove Gedde, a Danish Admiral negotiated with the then king of Tanjore to construct a port at Tranquebar and, used to export pepper to Denmark, it became a thriving Danish trading post.
The treaty signed in November 1620 saw work start on the historic Dansborg Fort. Completed in 1622, it was the residence of the Danish Governor for 150 years. With part of the fort being converted into a heritage hotel by the Neemrma group, the Governor’s bungalow now sits forlorn as though dreaming of the now gone by Danish era.
A Danish settlement soon developed around the Fort and Tranquebar remained a Scandinavian colony from the 17th to the mid 19th century. It was eventually taken by the British East India Company in the 19th century. So this massive fort reminiscent of Aalborg, (Denmark), along with its 13 brass cannons mounted on its ramparts became British property.
The Fort and surroundings have retained their unique Danish character. Faded Danish landmarks give the town a strange but fascinating 'washed out' charm. The Fort houses a small but interesting Museum, giving you an insight into its Danish roots. Restoration work goes on to restore the Fort.
Walk down the grandly named King’s Street and you will come upon a memorial at the spot where the Danes first landed. The homes and Lutheran Churches on King Street and Queen Street are pretty much as they must have been in the 17th century. Their facades remain unchanged though in need of repair.
Built in 1704 by Bartholomaus Zeigenbalg, the first Danish missionary in India, the churchyard of the pretty white-washed and renovated New Jerusalem Church also known as the Zion Church is home to his grave.
Not far from Tranquebar are the impressive temples of Chidambaram (30 Miles) and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Good Health at Valankani (30 miles). The temples of Kumbakonam and Tanjore are also close by. So besides exploring the sleepy little enclave of Tranquebar you have much to see and do in the area.
For more information on Tranquebar, visit www.tamilnadutourism.org
A piece of Danish history lives on in the sleepy Tamil fishing costal village of Tarangambadi 'the place of the singing waves'. 160 miles from Madras on the Delta of the River Cauvery, colonised and renamed Tranquebar by Danish sailors, it became the only pocket of Danish culture in India. Its strategic location on the Bay of Bengal encouraged the Danes to use Tranquebar to expand trade in the 17th century.
Apparently Ove Gedde, a Danish Admiral negotiated with the then king of Tanjore to construct a port at Tranquebar and, used to export pepper to Denmark, it became a thriving Danish trading post.
The treaty signed in November 1620 saw work start on the historic Dansborg Fort. Completed in 1622, it was the residence of the Danish Governor for 150 years. With part of the fort being converted into a heritage hotel by the Neemrma group, the Governor’s bungalow now sits forlorn as though dreaming of the now gone by Danish era.
A Danish settlement soon developed around the Fort and Tranquebar remained a Scandinavian colony from the 17th to the mid 19th century. It was eventually taken by the British East India Company in the 19th century. So this massive fort reminiscent of Aalborg, (Denmark), along with its 13 brass cannons mounted on its ramparts became British property.
The Fort and surroundings have retained their unique Danish character. Faded Danish landmarks give the town a strange but fascinating 'washed out' charm. The Fort houses a small but interesting Museum, giving you an insight into its Danish roots. Restoration work goes on to restore the Fort.
Walk down the grandly named King’s Street and you will come upon a memorial at the spot where the Danes first landed. The homes and Lutheran Churches on King Street and Queen Street are pretty much as they must have been in the 17th century. Their facades remain unchanged though in need of repair.
Built in 1704 by Bartholomaus Zeigenbalg, the first Danish missionary in India, the churchyard of the pretty white-washed and renovated New Jerusalem Church also known as the Zion Church is home to his grave.
Not far from Tranquebar are the impressive temples of Chidambaram (30 Miles) and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Good Health at Valankani (30 miles). The temples of Kumbakonam and Tanjore are also close by. So besides exploring the sleepy little enclave of Tranquebar you have much to see and do in the area.
For more information on Tranquebar, visit www.tamilnadutourism.org
