The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c27.189

v1.c27.189

With the expulsion of the Dutch from Pulicat the fortress was razed to the ground². The Portuguese however were not destined to enjoy their success for long. For in the beginning of 1614 Pulicat had again fallen into the hands of the Dutch. In his letter dated February 6th, 1615, the King of Spain tells us that after the Dutch fortress was levelled to the ground, two Dutch ships weighed anchor at Pulicat harbour to negotiate with King Venkata to re-establish themselves there, and for this purpose had made munificent gifts to the monarch. Through the influence of the latter's brother-in-law, who openly favoured them, they obtained permission from the monarch to build a new fortress. They lost no time. They set about work at once. The new fortress was erected on a different spot which commanded greater facility for defence than the former. "It was further fortified", says Philip III, "by the erection of several bastions round the walls and the picketing of artillery and soldiers" ³. This was the fort which was called later on Castel Geldria" ⁴.