In September 1503, the Raja of Kochi of the Kochi Princely State granted permission to Afonso de Albuquerque to build Fort Emmanuel near the waterfront of the Arabian Sea. The construction was commenced on 26 September, and “it took the shape of a square with flanking bastions at the corners mounted with ordnance”. The walls were made of double rows of coconut tree stems securely fastened together and with earth rammed firmly between; it was further protected by a wet ditch. The fort was christened on the morning of 1 October 1503 “Emmanuel”, after the King of Portugal.