Fort Cornwallis

Fort Cornwallis is an old star-shaped fort located on the northeastern coast of Penang, Malaysia. It is named after the late 18th century Governor-General of Bengal, India. Fort Cornwallis was built by Captain Sir Francis Light after taking possession of the island from the Sultan of Kedah in 1786. It was originally built with a nibong ( _ms. palm trunk) stockade with no permanent structures, covering an area of 417.6 square feet.

In 1804, the fort was rebuilt with bricks and stones by Indian convict labour during Colonel R.T. Farquhar’s term as Governor of Penang. Fort Cornwallis was later completed in 1810 during Norman Macalister’s term as Governor of Penang at the cost of $80,000.

Even though the fort was originally built for the Royal artillery troops and the military, its function, historically, was more administrative rather than defensive. For example, further to the appointment of the first Supreme Court judge, Sir Edmond Stanley, the Supreme Court of Penang was first housed at Fort Cornwallis and opened on 31st May, 1808.

In its entire history, the fort had never been engaged in any battle. Apart from being used for the British Royal artillery troops, the fort was once occupied by the Sikh Police of the Straits Settlements during the 1920s. Today, it has become one of Penang's prime tourist attractions.

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