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Alappuzha, the place where India's Alleppey Lighthouse stands, was one of the busiest ports and trade centers of Kerala. Alappuzha, a part of Travancore, was ruled by Rajas of Earstwhile Travancore before India's independence. After the arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch and English trades, Vizhinjam, Kollam, Travancore and Purakad were the main ports of Earstwhile Travancore through which foreign trade flourished.
The decline of the Port of Purakkad necessitated the rehabilitation of the traders for which Alappuzha was selected as a port and an infrastructure was developed. The port was opened to foreign traders in 1792.
As port activities increased, the authorities had to provide for a lighthouse. The construction of the present lighthouse began in the reign of His Highness Marthanda Varma Maharaja and was completed during the reign of His Highness Rama Varma Maharaja of Travancore.
The first stone was installed by Mrs. Mough Crawford on April 26, 1860. The 30' high lighthouse has a teak spiral staircase and the lantern was installed in September of 1862. The current 4th order optic with a 1000 watt electric lamp was installed in 1960. The lighthouse is still a manned station.
This story appeared in the December 1998 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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