A European Soldier in a Foreign Land
Eustachius Benedict De Lannoy, born in 1714 to a devout Catholic family in Belgium, nurtured aspirations from a young age to master the art of warfare and weapon-making. His early enlistment in the Dutch army allowed him to sharpen his combat skills, particularly his rare proficiency in launching grenades with archer-like precision. His remarkable abilities caught the attention of the Dutch Governor in Sri Lanka, who soon deployed him to India to command the military campaign against Travancore.
Capture and a New Calling
In the Battle of Colachel in 1741, De Lannoy’s forces were overwhelmed by the valor and strategy of King Marthanda Varma. Rather than treating him as a typical prisoner of war, the king recognized his extraordinary courage and intelligence. Marthanda Varma saw in De Lannoy not just a foe, but a teacher and potential ally. Choosing magnanimity over revenge, the king offered him a place in his own army—an invitation that would reshape the destiny of Travancore.
A Commander Beyond Barriers
De Lannoy accepted this honor with humility and became a general in the Travancore army, committing himself to the kingdom’s cause with a spirit of unity that transcended caste, creed, or ethnicity. He reorganized the military by introducing European warfare techniques, disciplined formations, and a code of dress that included uniforms and socks—details previously foreign to native armies.
He abolished the kingdom’s dependence on soldiers from external Tamil Nadu regions, training locals to defend their land with new skills. His proposals to Marthanda Varma for infrastructure and materials were readily accepted, as the king deeply trusted De Lannoy’s loyalty and vision.
The Rebirth of Udayagiri Fort
To establish a permanent military base, Marthanda Varma offered the ruins of the ancient Udayagiri Fort, once the stronghold of the Cherya kings. The site had a storied past: once a thriving capital with palaces, fearless Mangayar women who hunted tigers with domestic tools, scholars, and healers. It bore the scars of conflict, including the dramatic episode when Bhaskara Ravi Varman imprisoned a Chola envoy, provoking the wrath of Rajaraja Chola, who retaliated with devastating force. The palace and its elephant halls were destroyed, and the once-mighty fort lay in ashes.
Now, under De Lannoy’s direction, Travancore soldiers resurrected Udayagiri Fort. Situated on a 260-foot-high hill and stretching across 85 acres, the fort’s formidable 15–18-foot-thick walls took three and a half years to reconstruct. It became India’s first ammunition factory, producing European-style artillery using iron from Marungur. These cannons, so massive that they required 1,200 men and sixteen elephants to move, were immortalized in Major Wales’s Military Memoirs.
Fortresses and Innovation
To bolster security, a secondary ammunition factory was established on a 400-foot-high hill north of the palace. This complex included five bastions, stone halls, and a secret tunnel linking it to Udayagiri Fort for secure transport of arms. To the south, a central fortress was constructed on a 200-foot cliff, designated for royal cremations—a sacred place for Travancore’s royal line.
A Family Man and Loyal Defender
De Lannoy made his home in a mansion on the fort’s western corner. In 1745, he married Margaret De Almeida of Anchu Thengu, daughter of a British officer. Margaret, known affectionately as the ‘Mother of the Poor’, was deeply loved for her compassion and service to the downtrodden. Together, the couple embodied both martial strength and Christian charity.
De Lannoy’s unwavering devotion to Travancore helped unite kingdoms from Kayankulam to Kochi, solidifying the region under Marthanda Varma’s rule. While some territories were won through force, it was De Lannoy’s strategic foresight and discipline that laid the foundations for Travancore’s transformation into a powerful state.
Personal Loss and Enduring Friendship
Yet, the general’s life was not without sorrow. His beloved son, Johannes De Lannoy, fell in the Battle of Kalakkadu at the age of nineteen—a devastating blow to the father. Nevertheless, De Lannoy remained resolute in his service to Travancore.
Throughout these years, Neelakandan Pillai, who managed supplies and payments for the fort’s construction, became a frequent visitor and confidant. Their discussions often turned to philosophy, ethics, and the nature of truth. A profound friendship grew between the two men, founded on mutual respect, a thirst for knowledge, and deep reflection.
Then, one day, Neelakandan arrived with a heavy heart—a moment that would foreshadow a dramatic turn in both their lives.
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