Ancola, The North Canara Coast. Photographer: Venn, T.W.

Extract from Memoir of a Field Officer – ''The fort of Ancola or Ancowla, before which we shortly appeared, was one of those posts, which if resolutely defended, was not to be reduced without the aid of artillery. It was in complete repair, consisting of a wall and towers of solid masonry, covered all round with tiled roofs, which rendered it very difficult to escalade; and this was considered our only resource, as we had not with us even a single field piece.'' 1783. The Killedar contented himself with two or three salvoes from his cannon and abandoned the fort during the night. Before the British force left Ancola the fort was dismantled and much of the walls and bastions blown up. Very thoroughly, as it would seem from their appearance to day (1935).

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