A 17th Century fort that was set up as a trading post by the Dutch East India Company in the 1615's. Getting there is fairly simple. Drive past Mahabalipuram on the East Coast Road towards Pondycherry. About 10 kilometers past Mahabailpuram on the left side will be a sign for Kalpakam. There is a fairly wide road that leads into some farmlands heading straight East. Drive up to the junction of the Kalpakam Nuclear Power Plant and take a right turn. You will land in the Village of Sadras. The fort is along the beach. Cannot be missed.
Surprisingly its a fairly intact structure compared to the other forts along the Chennai coast. As you walk into the compound, now under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India, you will come to the grand entrance guarded by two cannons.
As you enter, to your right is the beautiful cemetery. There are about a dozen beautifully carved and engraved graves. They date from the 1630's to the 1760's. Each carries the family insignia. Perhaps these people were the few Dutch traders who settled in India and conducted most of the business.
Take some time and try to read whats engraved. Its fairly easy to decipher the dates and names.
This is a bin full of broken ceramics, glass and terracotta. If one notices carefully as you walk around the fort, there are several fragments of ceramic, terracotta and glass. These are all certainly from when the fort was in use. Its amazing that one can get a feel for the day to day life of the fort. >>>
For people visiting during lunch, there is this huge tamarind tree right at the entrance which is perfect to sit down and spread a picnic. Now, this is a protected monument, so don't litter and get the permission of the caretaker. Sitting here and looking forward at the expanse of the fort is quite fulfilling.
Take a look at the floor tiles here >>>
Newly renovated storage room. It is thought that the goods for trade
were stocked here in this large warehouse complex.
Combine the trip to Sadras Fort in the following ways:
1. Half day trip to Mahabalipuram
2. First stop on the way to Pondycherry
3. Also visit Alambara Fort 40Km away
4. Also visit Taragambadi Fort in Karailak
Ideal time to visit will be in the evenings. The Fort is open from 8 am - 6pm
