Fort Cornwallis, situated in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia, stands as the oldest and largest fort in the country, representing a significant historical and cultural landmark. Its origins date back to 17 July 1786, when Captain Francis Light, a British naval officer and the founder of Penang, first set foot on the island. After securing Penang Island from the Sultan of Kedah, Light quickly recognised the strategic importance of fortifying his position against potential threats, such as pirates and forces from Kedah. He initially constructed a simple stockade made of nibong palms at the precise location where he had landed. This rudimentary structure marked the inception of what would become Fort Cornwallis, named in honour of Charles, Marquess Cornwallis, the then Governor-General of India and Commander-in-Chief of British India. Cornwallis is notably remembered for his involvement in the American Revolutionary War, particularly his defeat at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, which contributed to the recognition of the United States’ independence. By 1789, Light had begun the process of replacing the nibong palm stockade with a more permanent structure made of brick. However, it was not until the onset of the Napoleonic Wars in 1804 that the British authorities, acknowledging the growing threat posed by the French, prioritised the reconstruction of the fort. Under the supervision of Colonel R.T. Farquhar, the fort was rebuilt between 1804 and 1810 using brick and stone, primarily with the aid of Indian convict labourers. The new fort, designed in the star-shaped layout typical of European military architecture of the period, was completed at the substantial cost of 80,000 Spanish dollars. Despite its formidable design, Fort Cornwallis never saw combat throughout its operational history. Its primary function gradually shifted from a military stronghold to an administrative centre. For example, in 1808, the Supreme Court of Penang was established within the fort, marking the beginning of Malaysia's modern legal system. The court’s presence within the fort underscores its role as more than just a defensive structure—it became a centre of governance and law for the growing settlement of Penang. One of the fort’s most enduring symbols is the Sri Rambai cannon, an ancient piece of artillery with a fascinating history. Cast in 1603 by the Dutch East India Company, the cannon was gifted to the Sultan of Johor before being seized by the Acehnese in 1613. After passing through various hands, including being seized by the British in 1871 during a punitive expedition in Kuala Selangor, the cannon was eventually installed at Fort Cornwallis in the 1950s. Today, it remains one of the fort's most famous objects, with local folklore attributing magical properties to it, particularly concerning fertility. Another notable feature of the fort is the chapel, constructed in 1799. This chapel, one of the earliest Christian places of worship in Penang, witnessed the marriage of Martina Rozells, the widow of Captain Francis Light, to John Timmers, a Dutch merchant. However, the building often identified as the chapel was more likely the main magazine, a structure designed for the safe storage of ammunition, which was typical of the era. In 1882, a lighthouse was erected at the northeastern corner of the fort. Initially named Fort Point Lighthouse and later renamed Penang Harbour Lighthouse, this 21-metre skeletal steel structure is the second oldest lighthouse in Malaysia. Notably, it resembles a ship’s mast and is one of the few lighthouses in Peninsular Malaysia that no longer serves a navigational purpose, having been renovated in 1914 and 1925. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Fort Cornwallis underwent various modifications, including the addition of a moat, which was later filled in during the 1920s due to a malaria outbreak. Despite these changes, the fort has retained much of its original structure. In 1977, it was designated an Ancient Monument and Historic Site under Malaysia’s Antiquities Act, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Today, Fort Cornwallis serves as a popular tourist destination, offering a window into Penang's colonial past. Partially restored, it features exhibits that tell the fort’s rich history and enduring significance. 回