VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Vellore Fort, one of the best Military Architecture Forts of Southern India, Vellore, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

Monday, 17 September 2018

Vellore Fort, one of the best Military Architecture Forts of Southern India, Vellore, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

09^th September 2018.

History of the Fort…..This 16^th century fort was built by the Chinna Bommi Nayak, a subordinate Chief of this area under the Sadasiva Raya and Sri Ranga Maharaja of Vijayanagara Dynasty in the third quarter of 16th century (1566 CE ). In 17^th Century, the Aravidu, a small dynasty with the title Rayas under Vijayanagara ruled this Vellore area keeping Vellore as Capital. Residing in this fort, they took part in Toppur war in 1620’s. The Rayas had frequent battles with Bijapur Sultan Adil Shahi and for the non remittance of annual tributes by the Nayaks of Madurai and Gingee. In 1640’s, during Sriranga Raya-III’s rule the fort was captured by the Bijapur Sultan Adil Shahi, but recaptured with the help of Thanjavur Nayaks.

In 1639, Francis Day of the east India Company obtained a small strip of land in the Coromandel Coast ( in Madras) from the Chieftains of the Vellore_Chandragiri regions to do trading. In 1650’s The last king of Vijayanagara, Sri Ranga Maharaja, with Mysore and Thanjavur Nayaks attacked Gingee. But Bijapur Sultan allied with Madurai Thirumalai Nayak attacked Vellore & Gingee and captured both.

In 1676 CE, the Thanjavur was under the control of Chokkanatha Nayak of Madurai. The same year Ekoji, brother of Chatrapati Shivaji took control of Thanjavur, but was under constant threat from Madurai Nayaks and Bijapur Sultans, who stationed at Gingee & Vellore. In 1677 CE, Chatrapati Shivaji Captured Gingee and proceed to Deccan to face Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. In 1678, continuous 14 month battle with Bijapur Sultan, the Vellore fort came under the control of Marathas after 20 years.

In 1707 CE, after the death of Aurangzeb, the Delhi Muslim army under the leadership of Daud Khan captured the Vellore fort, after defeating Marathas. In 1710 CE, the newly formed Nawab of Arcot under Sadat Ullah Khan along with Deccan Muslim Governors, declare independence. It was latter the seat of Murtaza Ali, the brother in-law of Chanda Sahib, who climbed the Arcot throne.

Following the decline of Madurai Nayaks and the raise of British & French on the Coromandel, Madras Coast, frequent conflicts developed between Nawabs and his brother in-laws, in which Nawabs supported British, but his brother in-laws supported French. This conflicts and supports leads to the carnatic war in 1760’s, in which British proved its dominance in Southern part of India, conquering French. From the victory of carnatic war, the Vellore fort came under the control of British and used as a garrison. In 1780’s after the Anglo-Mysore war, Haider Ali took control of the fort for two years and again the fort went in to the hands of British.

British used the Vellore fort to station its 2 infantry regiments of Madras Army and English regiment. In 1806 CE, Madras army’s Commander-in-Chief, imposed new rules of wearing hat instead of turban, removal of beards, applying vibhuti, Namam, and jewelry on native soldiers. This leads to sepoy mutiny or the Vellore Mutiny, in which 100 British soldiers were killed, which includes 15 higher level officers, on 10^th July 1806 CE. The mutiny was put down on the same day, under the Command of Sir John Cradock, who came from Arcot, which costs 800 mutineers life. The fort was under the control of Madras Army till the independence.

Architecture of the fort… The fort was constructed completely with granite stones quarried from nearby mountains and Chandragiri. The fort is in irregular shape with double rampart / walls and bastions. The fort spreads over 133 acres on plains at an altitude of 220 meters. The initial ramparts were strengthened by the Shivaji's representative, during Maratha rule. Two carts can pass through the ramparts. Approximately 100 feet wide, deep moat runs along the outer fort walls with water. The water was originally fed by subterranean drains from the "surya Gunta " tank. Crocodiles are nurtured in the moat to bite and tear the intruders. The bastions are protruding irregularly from the ramparts to station the guards. Cannon position points are provided to cover maximum area of the target from the ramparts. The viewing points are also chiseled on the granite stones. This fort is considered one of the best military architecture forts of Southern India.

During British period, after the fall of Srirangapatnam in 1799 and death of Tippu Sultan, his complete family which includes his sons, Daughters, wife and mother ( wife of Haider Ali ) held as prisoners. Both sons and daughters were shifted to Calcutta, the present, Kolkata during sepoy mutiny, in 1806. Bakshi Begam, the mother of Tippu’s, who died in 1806,’s and his wife Padshah Begum and his sons (died in 1834). The last ruler of Sri Lanka, Sri Vikrama Rajasinga’s tomb is also located inside the fort.

The Fort at present houses, Sri Jalakandeswarar Temple, St John’s Church, ASI Museum ( functions in Badusha Mahal and Begum Mahal ), Govt. Offices, Public Works Department, Police Training School ( functions in Tippu Mahal, Hyder Mahal & Kandy Mahal ), play grounds. The old Mosque is being used by the Tamil Nadu Police department.

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