on the southern tip of India. It was set up as the southern most sea coast defense area by the Dutch. Its a Rectangular shaped fort made of granite stones. As the corners are curved it presents itself as a circular shape and hence the name vattakkottai (Circular fort) The fortification of Vattakottai was completed under the supervision of De-Lannoy assisted by Marthanda Pillai, a local chief. The fort covers an area of three and a half acres. The fort is enclosed by walls 25 to 26 feet high, including the parapet, 29 feet thick at the front, 18 feet at the corners and 6 feet at the rear. Inside the fort, there are watch towers which measures from 3 to 6 feet. THere are holes on the walls for the guns and ramps inside the ramparts for the cannons to be moved. This fort was built of stone and lime and it covered an area of 171800 square feet. The fort was strategically situated to carry out defensive maneuvers. Ammunition Fort This fort which is located one kilometer away from Padmanabhapuram was also built by Captain De Lannoy. It was earlier built to protect the Padmanabhapuram palace and was fortified by the Dutch captain. This fort was used to manufacture and store ammunition for the artilleries and fire arms produced at Udayagiri Fort. Life at Udayagiri As a Christian, De Lannoy was prohibited from entering the king's palace at Padmanabhapuram, so he resided primarily at Udayagiri Fort, or De Lannoy Kotta (de Lannoy's Fort) as it is known locally, where he had also built a small chapel for his family and other Christians. Conversion of saint Devasahayam Pillai At some point of his military career, De Lannoy got well acquainted with Neelakanta Pillai, a Nair palace official, who after learning of Christian traditions and beliefs through De Lannoy, converted to Christianity. As they both had influential roles under the king, they got well acquainted. Neelankanta Pillai took the baptised name of Devasahayam Pillai. Devasahayam became a martyr of the Christian faith in 1752. The Roman Catholic church under Pope Benedict XVI made Devasahayam Pillai a beatified layman of the church in 2012, and was made a saint on 15 May 2022 by Pope Francis Thus, De Lannoy had an important role in the conversion and Christian life of saint Devasahayam Pillai. Death Maharaja Marthanda Varma died in 1758, and