Gulf of Mannar

The Gulf of Mannar is a shallow bay between southeastern India and western Lanka. A chain of low islands and reefs known as Adam's Bridge separates it from Palk Bay to the north. Mannar, on the island at the gulf's northeastern edge, was renowned for pearl fishing and was mentioned in the ancient Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. The Portuguese built a fort there in 1560; the Dutch captured it in 1658 and rebuilt its defences.