Boulder with Coat-of-Arms of Portugal in Colombo

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The Boulder with Coat-of-Arms of Portugal

The Boulder with the Coat of Arms of Portugal also referred to as a Padrão, is a historically significant artefact that marks the early Portuguese presence in Sri Lanka. Erected by Portuguese explorers as a territorial marker, these padrões typically featured the royal coat of arms of Portugal and were used to claim land in newly explored regions.

This particular boulder, located in Colombo, is a massive stone block weighing around 25 tons. It is intricately carved with the royal coat of arms of Portugal and bears the inscription of the year 1501, making it one of the oldest Portuguese relics on the island. As a symbol of Portugal’s colonial ambitions and exploratory endeavors, this padrão holds immense historical value serving as a symbol of Portugal’s exploratory and colonial activities during the 16th century.

On September 6, 1898, a group of coolies tasked with demolishing the old building at the base of the breakwater of Colombo Harbour—previously used as the Harbour Police headquarters—discovered a significant boulder. Among the large rocks at the foundation of the structure, they found one bearing the carved Coat of Arms of Portugal, dated 1501. Nearby, the workers also uncovered decayed human bones, likely belonging to a Portuguese conqueror buried there (S. G. Perera, 1924).

Interestingly, this discovery questions the widely accepted belief that the Portuguese first arrived in Ceylon in 1505, as the year in the carving predates this event by four years. Some argue that since Vasco da Gama set sail from Portugal to the East in 1497 and a mission was established in Calcutta in 1498, not far from Sri Lanka, the engraving could be linked to a Christian mission to Ceylon around 1501, especially if the cross above the coat of arms holds significance (Ferguson et al., 1899).

The Symbols (characters) marked on the Portuguese bolder

There are numerous alternative interpretations regarding the date inscribed on the boulder. Some suggest that the year 1501 is an error and should instead be 1505, aligning with the widely accepted date of the Portuguese arrival in Ceylon. Others propose that the symbol “1501” might symbolize a phrase, such as “Jesus Salvator Orientalium Indicorum,” rather than representing a specific year. Additionally, some argue that the date should be interpreted as 1561 rather than 1501. However, the year 1561 holds little historical significance for the Portuguese in Ceylon, making it an unlikely candidate for such a commemorative carving (Ferguson et al., 1899)

This historical artefact remained close to the Wharf Railway Station, situated between the road leading to the Customs main gate and the rear of the Customs yard, until 1812 (Ferguson et al., 1899). In 1912, the boulder was moved to Gordon Gardens, now part of the President’s House, where it stayed for nearly a century. In the early 2000s, the monument was relocated once more for no apparent reason, this time to the entrance of Colombo Harbour. Today, it lies neglected in a secluded area near a gate of the Colombo Harbour, inaccessible and hidden from public view.

References

Ferguson, D. W., De Vos, F. H., & Buultjens, A. E. (1899). Antiquarian Discovery Relating to the Portuguese in Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, XVI(50), 15–28.
Perera, S. G. (1924). The First Portuguese Inscription in Ceylon. The Ceylon Antiquary and Literary Register, IX, 202–211.

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