Fort Cornwallis
Fort Cornwallis located next to Esplanade in Penang is one of the most
sought-after tourist destinations in this island. Fort Cornwallis derives its
name from Charles Cornwallis, the Governor-General in Bengal, India.
Located next to the Victoria Memorial Clock in George Town, this fort can offer
you an open-air amphitheatre, a history gallery, a souvenir centre, tourist
information kiosk and even a café. One of the oldest sites of Penang in
Malaysia, Fort Cornwallis was built in 1786 soon after Captain Francis Light
annexed Penang from the Sultan of Kedah for the British empire. In 1786, soon
after the British took possession of the island, Francis Light erected a fort of
nibong palms at the tip of the cape which was called Fort Point and named it
after the Governer-General in Bengal -Charles Cornwallis.
This fort was later reconstructed in the same size, shape and layout. Convict
labour which was first imported in 1789 was immediately put to work on the fort
by Francis Light to rebuilt the fort in brick for 67,000 Spanish Dollars in
1793.
Fort Cornwallis was the first military and administrative base of the East India
Company and the garrison of Fort Cornwallis consisted of a handful of Europeans,
who resided within the fort and Sepoys, who dwelt in attap huts next to the
fort. Previously surrounded by a 27-foot wide and 6 feet deep moat, it was
filled in about a century ago due to malaria.
Today relics such as the chapel, store, cell rooms, and the gunpowder magazine
still remain in this fort. History galleries from the early 1700 and staff with
colonial costume is now part of the attraction to visit this fort.
Contact Information
Address: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah 10200 Georgetown, Penang
Tel: +604 2610 260 / 261
Fax: +604 2610 260
Email: sebagus@tm.net.my
Opening hours: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm daily
Admission Fee: RM3.00 (Adult), RM2.00 (Children below 12yrs)
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