Kalvalai Fort

Kalvalai Fort was located in the Kalvalai, Jaffna. Though much of the fort has been lost to cultivation and human activity, the ruins that remain provide valuable insights into the past. The site was first documented in 1922 by Rev. S. Gnana Prakasar, a missionary, and later explored in greater detail in the 1980s by Ponnampalam Ragupathy, the author of Early Settlements in Jaffna: An Archaeological Survey.

The Name “Kalvalai” and Its Meaning

The name “Kalvalai” translates to “stone circle,” ” stone circuit,” or ” stone burrow,” which may refer to the stone structures and defensive arrangements found at the site. While the exact date of the fort’s construction remains unknown, legends and historical records provide valuable clues.

Historical Background and Legends

According to local legend, Kalvalai Fort was built by Karunakara Tondaiman, a general of the Chola Emperor Kulottunga I, around 1070 AD. This was during a time of conflict between the Cholas and the local king of Sri Lanka. The 12th century saw the rise of the Chola Empire in the northern part of the island, and inscriptions from the time of King Rajadhiraja II (1163–1179 AD) mention several strategic forts, including one at Mattival (modern-day Manthuvil), which is in close proximity to Kalvalai. This suggests that Kalvalai may have been an important military location during this period.

The fort is also linked to the 16th century events when Cankili I, the king of the Jaffna Kingdom, fled to various places in the region to escape Portuguese forces. After losing his capital in Nallur, he initially sought refuge in Kopay. When that too was attacked, he may have sought refuge in Kalvalai, as described in Portuguese records.

The Role of Kalvalai Fort

Kalvalai Fort, along with other small forts such as Kopay Fort, Columbuthurai Fort, and Pannaithurai Fort, was part of a defensive network protecting the capital of Nallur, a fortified city. Unfortunately, all forts were destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century, contributing to the eventual fall of the Jaffna Kingdom.

The Kalvalai Antati and the Local Temple

The Kalvalai Antati, a Tamil poem composed by Nallur Cinnattampi Pulavar during the Dutch period, is thought to be associated with the Kalvalai Fort, particularly its Pillaiyar (Ganesh) temple. However, there is some debate, as another Kalvalai Pillaiyar temple in Sandilipay, located about 33 kilometers away, is also sometimes attributed to the poem.

The temple at Kalvalai has long been a place of local worship. A shady grove once served as the temple, with five rough stones arranged in a semicircle. These stones represent different deities: Lyanar, Nagatambiran, the Seven Nachimar (queens), Vairavar, and Annamar, from left to right. The Seven Nachimar, who hold a central place in the temple, are believed to be the spirits of seven queens who lived at Kalvalai, as told in local folklore. According to this legend, the queens had a quarrel, and after leaving the site, their attendants remained behind, offering divine worship to them. These queens are said to have names like Angainachy, Konachy, Manninachy, and Kunkuninachy.

Archaeological Remains

Kalvalai Fort covers an area of approximately 15 to 20 acres. Though much of the site has been lost to agriculture, there are still significant ruins visible. Among the most noteworthy features are the remains of a large rectangular structure surrounded by thick walls made of brick and rubble. The western wall, which stretches over 200 yards (182 meters) long, still stands to a height of about one meter in some places. The southern wall, now hidden in thick jungle, is less visible, but the northern portion has been partially cleared, revealing numerous heaps of bricks, some measuring 12 inches long and 8 inches wide, indicative of large and well-constructed buildings.

The site also features a number of caves and shrines. At the eastern edge of the fort is the Kottai Vasal Pillayar Kovil, a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Ganesh. The temple’s placement on the eastern side of the fort aligns with the traditional belief that the east is auspicious for an entrance.