Fort Geldria

Pulicat, Tamil Nadu, India

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Fort Geldria in Pulicat, Tamil Nadu, was built in 1613 by the Dutch East India Company and served as the first Dutch settlement and capital of Dutch Coromandel in India.

It was constructed on the foundations of a former Portuguese fort with permission from the local Vijayanagara ruler. The fort was strategically important for trade and military purposes, situated on the shores of Pulicat Lake, providing access to the Bay of Bengal. It was defended by a garrison and played a key role in Dutch colonial activities, especially trade in cotton fabrics and spices.

Although the fort's significance declined with the rise of the British and Mughal empires, it remained a lively trading hub until it was eventually ceded to the British in 1795. The fort was later destroyed by the British in the early 19th century, but remnants like the Dutch cemetery persist. The site is now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India with restoration plans involving Dutch and Indian cooperation.

Pulicat also offers attractions like its bird sanctuary and historic Dutch colonial relics, making it an important cultural and historical site.