It was a fortified outpost during the Kandyan Wars, named after Major General Hay MacDowall, the 6th Commander of British Troops in Ceylon.

Captain Madge and his men succeeded in reaching Trincomalee, approximately 201 km (125 mi) through jungle and enemy held territory, on 3 July.

[3] During the Matale rebellion, on 28 July 1848, the fort came under siege by approximately 400 rebels led by Puran Appu and Gongalegoda Banda,[4] but the British garrison repulsed the attack.

After the battle, roughly 250 captured rebels were court-martialled and subsequently executed (either by firing squad or hanging) in Fort MacDowall.

Watson and Lillie then led their troops in occupying Matale, arresting a number of rebel leaders, including Appu and Banda.