IHR Blog - Danish Connections - The Danish connection - Coromandel Coast - Old Gateway - Dansborg Fort - New Jerusalem Church - Church of Zion

Not many know that Danish colonial interest in India also lasted for around 225 years (1620-1845). With the establishment of the Danish “Ostindisk Kompagni”(Danish East India Company) in 1616 AD a fleet of ships set sailed for India in 1618. In 1845, bowing to the English dominance Denmark’s Indian dreams came to an end but not before erecting some great monuments as a mark of their presence.This post traces what remains of those monuments purely from the tourism angle.

Coromandel Coast

It was the small fishing and trading port of Taramgambadi now in Tamil Nadu which became the first important Danish settlement in India. Tarangambadi lies 35 kms north of Nagapattinam and around 50 kms from Chidambaram.

Under a treaty signed on 1620 Ad the ruler of Tanjore ceded this place to the Danish East India Company. Taramgambadi was renamed Trankebar by the Danes and was known to the Europeans as Tranquebar. The Danish settlements initiated with the building of the Dansborg fort. Let’s see what now remains in Tranquebar

Old Gateway: One of the first signs of Danish interests in the town is an old gateway with wooden doors. It was supposedly the entrance to the city built in 1792 AD by the Danish.

Dansborg Fort: The Dansborg fort built in 1620 AD is a stunning peace of Architecture on the beach front. The fort with enclosing stonewalls and cannons face the sea. Thanks to the efforts of the conservationists the fort has been restored from the vagaries of time. There is an archaeological museum inside the fort housing weapons and artifacts from the past.

New Jerusalem Church: The Evangelical Lutheran New Jerusalem church is located on King Street the main pathway of Tranquebar. It was built in 1718 AD by Revered Bartolomeus Ziegenbalg who happens to be the first protestant missionary to arrive in India. The Danish Royal crown insignia is etched on the façade of the church states it was built with the blessings of the King of Denmark. There is a cementery outside the church containing some tombstones erected in 18^th century.

Church of Zion: Further across the street is the Zion Church. Built in 1701/1702(dates differ) it was built for the local Danish residents. The church now stands renovated.

Danish Governor’s Bungalow: Opposite the Dansborg fort is an imposing Bungalow built in 1784 AD to serve as the residence of the Danish Governor.

Bungalow on the Beach: One of the better buildings Bungalow on the Beach now is a fully revamped Heritage Hotel but it was once the residence of the ADC of the Danish Governor.