5 kilometres away from the lively town of Kollam, in the district by the same name, is Thangassery – a seaside town with glimpses from the past eras, significant signs of the history of Kerala. It was once called by the name ‘Dutch Quilon’ by the Britishers, and the name it answers to now is referred to as the ‘gold village’ (Thangassery) by the locals, owing to the spice trade that once took place here with gold coins. Tourists are often attracted to not just the natural beauty of the place but also the remains which provide significant proofs of the history of Kerala, as also, of India.

History
Thangassery’s history revolves around the stories and monuments left behind as remnants of its past during the Colonial times, times when the European powers were hungry and greedy for establishing their own rule.

The European powers were then keen on fighting for hold of the eastern territories, and Thangassery was one such place. The first European powers to arrive were the Portuguese in 1502, who leased the land from the then queen of Quilon, the name inferred by the foreigners from what today is ‘Kollam’. They transformed the land into a trading port, leading to Thangassery being a major centre for pepper trade. Ruins of the ‘Forte de São Tomé’ (Fort St. Thomas), which the Portuguese built for protecting their land, can still be seen in Thangassery. The fort was destroyed in the later wars with the Dutch. Today, it is under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India, and is undergoing restoration.

In 1661, the Dutch defeated the Portuguese and took over Thangassery, establishing their own rule. Some grid patterned roads which can be seen today in Thangassery were devised by the Dutch, a sign of their past dealings in the area. However, this lasted only till the 18th century, where the Maharaja of Travancore captured Thangassery and it became a part of the Travancore kingdom. In 1795, the Britishers of The East India Company established their rule after the defeat of Travancore.

People from the foreign powers often married locally, and thus Thangassery also became the home of the Anglo-Indian community. It still remains so, but little is left of the population of the Anglo-Indian community. Even so, Thangassery will always remain indicative of the history of not just Kerala, but also India, and provide glimpses of an era from the distant past.

Thangassery Breakwater Tourism Park
The park is situated at the entrance of the Thangassery breakwater system, offering views of both a calm and a rough sea, divided by a causeway. This park has thrilling experience for visitors, featuring an open-air auditorium, cycle tracks, tourist information center and various other amenities.  

Thangassery Beach
With fine silver sand, soft under the bare soles of one’s feet and calm sea waves crashing against the edge, Thangassery Beach is the perfect place for a relaxing time. Whilst rich in history, amidst all the exploring, it is a dream come true to also have the ideal spot for basking in the golden sun. It is a long stretch of land of about 3 kilometres, protruding like a narrow strip, boasting its exotic beauty. The Thangassery lighthouse which overlooks the scenery stands by, tall and proud.

Thangassery Lighthouse
Bearing the title of being the tallest lighthouse in Kerala, Thangassery lighthouse stands tall, overlooking the scenic beauty of Kollam and the refreshing waves of the Arabian Sea at a height of 144 ft. It was first built by the Britishers in the 1900s, where it was once just a tall tower with an oil lamp. This would change in consequent years, turning into the structure it is today and undergoing maintenance in the later years of the 1900s. Today, it welcomes people to climb to the very top and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the exotic surrounding and the fresh spray of a calm sea breeze. It is accessible to all, with also the facility of a lift being provided along with the stairs, making it easier for one and all to experience the beautiful views.

Fort St. Thomas
What once was a strong fortification, protecting the Portuguese, is now ruins of broken brick walls and overgrown corners. It suffered significant damage during the battle between the Portuguese and the Dutch, and has been crumbling away since. Tourists are usually excited to visit, seeking a peek at the remnants of the past and the ways of old. People often say that it a good place for clicks, and is definitely of interest if you are an enthusiast of history.