Sunday, May 9, 2010 True story of False Point K. J. S. Chatrath visits the first lighthouse on the east coast of India FALSE Point - it was the unusual name that caught my attention. I was fascinated enough by the intriguing name to take a two-hour boat from Paradip Port, on the eastern coast of Orissa, to reach the place. False Point is an old harbour with a lighthouse, about 45 km from Kendrapada in Orissa, on the north of the Mahanadi estuary. The lighthouse is situated on a large island created by the Mahanadi river delta. It takes its name from the fact that it was often mistaken by ships for Point Palmyras (Palmyras is a sort of palm), which lies one degree farther north. Point Palmyras was the spot from where the ships moved towards the Ganga. In fact, many incoming ships used to take sailors from the town of Balasore as guides because they were considered well versed in navigating the tricky mouth of the river. Construction of the lighthouse was started in December, 1836, and finished in October, 1837. A plaque at the lighthouse says that the first light was exhibited on March 1, 1838, by Second Lieutenant H. Righly, Executive Engineer. The stones used were transported from Barabati Fort, Cuttack. The height of the structure is 125 feet. To reach the top, one has to climb 138 steps and a 16-step ladder. The speciality of this lighthouse is that it has remained operational from the date of its lighting. [snip] http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100509/spectrum/main6.htm --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar

Hello Harshawardhan, There is quite a bit on the web about other Indian lighthouses. I found the following site a few months ago while looking for the history of Tellicherry Lighthouse. http://www.pharology.eu/Lighthouses/Asia/early_indian_lighthouses.htm Here's a site about lighthouses in Orissa and Bengal (with lots of photos) http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/inde.htm And here's about Kerala. http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/indsw.htm Regards Nick Balmer