Kopay Fort

Kopay Fort, also known as Kokay Cankili Fort, was located in Kopay, Jaffna. The exact date of its construction remains unknown, and today only some scattered remains of the fort survive, largely eroded over time. Despite its faded physical presence, the fort’s historical significance remains rooted in the events of the 16th century and the power struggles of the Jaffna Kingdom.

Historical Significance of Kopay

Kopay was once the second most important location in the Jaffna Kingdom, following Nallur, which served as the capital. It was located approximately 4 kilometers from Nallur. The name “Kopay” is believed to mean “king’s seat,” reflecting its role as a royal residence for the Aryacakravarti dynasty, the rulers of the Jaffna Kingdom. King Cankili I made Kopay his stronghold during a period of intense conflict.

The fort’s strategic location played a crucial role in the history of the Jaffna Kingdom. According to Portuguese records from the 16th century, after the fall of Nallur to Portuguese forces in 1560, King Cankili I fled to Kopay. However, when Portuguese forces attacked Kopay, Cankili was forced to retreat once again to a safer location. The Portuguese chronicler João Ribeiro and the historian Sir Paul E. Pieris both noted that Cankili I’s forces attempted to defend the fort using ladders made from arecanut trees to scale the walls of the citadel.

Fortifications and Surrounding Areas

Kopay was part of a larger network of fortifications designed to protect Nallur, the Jaffna Kingdom’s capital. These included smaller forts at Kalvalai, Columbuthurai, and Pannaithurai. The Portuguese destroyed all these forts, including Kopay, during their campaign to conquer the Jaffna Kingdom. The fortifications at Kopay consisted primarily of mudbricks, and the fort had bastions and turrets that were well-constructed for defense. A canal known as the “Fort Canal” may have served as a moat to protect the fort from attacks.

After the fort’s destruction, a church was built on the site. However, this church was abandoned during the Dutch colonial period. There is also a local legend suggesting that a secret tunnel existed between Nallur and Kopay, though there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.

Research and Documentation

Kopay Fort has been the subject of several studies, although much of the historical and archaeological research remains incomplete. The earliest reference to the fort comes from Rev. S. Gnana Prakasar, who wrote about it in 1917 in the Ceylon Antiquary and Literary Register. He mentioned an engraved wall with the inscription “Old Castle,” believed to be part of the fort. Later, in 1980, V.N. Giritharan wrote an article in the Virakesari newspaper providing an overview of the fort’s history.

In 1987, Dr. Ponnampalam Ragupathy, an expert on early settlements in Jaffna, published a more detailed account of the fort in his book Early Settlements in Jaffna: An Archaeological Survey. Furthermore, in 1998, Ka. Ee. Komarasamy’s Tamil book History of Kopay offered additional insights into the fort’s past.

Other Forts of the Jaffna Kingdom

In addition to Kopay Fort, there were several other fortifications in the region, including:

Nallur Fort: The capital of the Jaffna Kingdom, Nallur was heavily fortified, though its structure was more of a complex of temples, palaces, houses, and ponds rather than a massive fortress. The Portuguese destroyed Nallur after the Jaffna King fled to Kopay, and they repurposed materials from the city to construct Jaffna Fort. The capital was situated on an open plain, surrounded by fortifications made of stones and sand. It had strong bastions armed with artillery and was defended by a large number of infantry.

Columbuthurai Fort: This small fort, which had a port to protect Nallur, was also destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Records about its construction and exact location are sparse, though it played a role in defending the kingdom. In 1560, Portuguese forces arrived at the shores of Colombuthurai, where they were confronted by 2,000 Jaffna soldiers. The Portuguese ships launched a heavy artillery attack, causing heavy casualties among the Jaffna troops. This allowed the Portuguese forces to land and move forward toward the capital.

Pannaithurai Fort: The Portuguese destroyed it and later built a stronger fort next to it, known as Jaffna Fort. The exact date of its construction and any archaeological records are not available, but there are references to it in ancient records and later documents.

Vanni Fort: Vanni was another location where King Cankili I sought refuge after fleeing from Jaffna. However, much of its history remains undocumented in terms of specific dates and architectural details.