Balana fort

Balana fort
Part of Kandy District
Gannoruwa, Sri Lanka
Balana fort
Coordinates	7°16′13″N 80°28′33″E / 7.270409°N 80.475876°E / 7.270409; 80.475876
Type	Defence fort
Site information
Condition	Remnant
Site history
Built by	Kingdom of Kandy
Battles/wars	Battle of Gannoruwa

Balana fort was built by the Kingdom of Kandy near Alagalla Mountain Range, Sri Lanka. The fort was functioned as a strategic rock fortress and an outpost to Kandyan kingdom. When the English established themselves in Kandy, they started tea and coffee plantations in the area of the Colombo-Kandy railway line, which has cut through tunnels in the mountains.^[1]

Balana Fort supported to protected Buddhism and (Sinhala:සිංහල ජාතිය Sinhala Jathiya) culture from the western powerful nations such as the Portuguese, Dutch and English for approximately five centuries. (1505–1948).

Most of the battles against invasions aimed at the Kandyan Kingdom by the western nations from time to time in their ruling period of maritime provinces happened at the Alagalla Mountains. Invading foreign armies were defeated by the battles at Balana (View Point) under the reign of Kandyan Kings. Balana fort was the main fortress established to protect the Sinhalese Kingdom from foreign powers, and is situated between Kadugannawa pass and Potato Range. Portuguese try to capture Kandy due to secret negotiation between king Rajasinha II of Kandy and the Dutch. Kandyan negotiated with the Dutch to help them repel Portugal. The Portuguese campaign against the Kingdom of Kandy was a success after several setbacks, and they managed to seized Balana fort.^[2] Retreated Kandyan forces was stated offensive against the forwarding Portuguese forces at Kiriwaththalawa (present day Kiribathkumbura) and repulsed them. The battle became worse setback on Portuguese's interest on upcountry and resulted lost of about 4,000 men.^[3]

Balana fort is turned into remnant and it is managed by Archaeological Department.^[4]

References

↑ "Balana Fort". VOC Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
↑ "Episodes of colonised history". Sunday Observer. 3 February 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
↑ "Defeat of Portuguese at the Battle of Gannoruwa". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
↑ "Balana Fort". Retrieved 24 November 2014.

Forts of Sri Lanka

Ancient Forts

Colonial Forts

Portuguese Forts	Arandora fort Arippu fort Batticaloa fort Colombo fort Delft Island fort Fort Fredrick Fort Hammenheil Galle fort Haldummulla fort^† Hanwella fort Jaffna fort Kalutara fort Kayts Island fort^† Malwana fort^† Mannar fort Matara fort Menikkadawara fort^† Negombo fort Pooneryn fort Ratnapura Portuguese fort^† Ruwanwella fort

Dutch Forts	Elephant Pass fort Fort Beschutter Fort Ostenburg Fort Pyl Kalpitiya fort Kankesanthurai fort Katuwana fort Koddiyar fort Mullaitivu fort Point Pedro fort Ratnapura Dutch fort Star fort Tangalle fort

British Forts	Fort MacDowall Martello tower

Less or no contribution/renovation works of Dutch are marked by † symbol under "Portuguese Forts", and others are considered as Dutch forts too.

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