Vellore Fort
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Vellore Fort (வேலூர் கோட்டை) is a large historic 16th century fort situated in Vellore town near Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It was built by Nayakar chieftains of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is constructed with large granite blocks and is known for its grand ramparts, wide moat and robust masonry.
It passed from the Nayaks to Bijapur Sultans, then Marathas and to Carnatic Nawabs and finally to British until Independence. During the British rule the fort held Tippu Sultan's family and the last Nayak king of Kandy (Sri Lanka) in captivity. The fort also houses a Hindu temple, Christian church and Muslim mosque. The first rebellion against British rule erupted at this fort in 1806. The temple within the Fort is famous for the magnificent carvings. The fort is also a witness to the tragic massacre of the Vijayanagara royal family of Emperor Sriranga Raya.
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[edit] Transportation
The Fort is situated in the centre of Vellore town, on the Chennai (Madras) to Bangalore highway. It is 120 km from Chennai and 210 km from Bangalore. It is located 7 km from Katpadi Railway Junction and 2 km from Vellore Cantonment railway station. The fort is located in front of the old bus stand which is about 3 km from the new central bus stand.
Almost all important trains stop at Katpadi Railway station. An auto-rickshaw ride from the station to the fort will cost between Rs. 70 to 80. Share autos are also available at a nominal cost of Rs.5 to Rs.10 up to the town bus stand. The fort is locate opposite the town bus stand. Take the foot over-bridge to enter the fort via the Gandhi statue.
[edit] History
The Fort was built in the third quarter of 16th century (around 1566) by Chinna Bommi Nayak and Thimma Reddy Nayak, subordinate Chieftains under Sadasiva Raya of Vijayanagara Empire. The Vijayanagara kings called it "Raya Vellore" to differentiate it from "Uppu Vellore" in the Godavari region and the name Vellore is also spelt "Belur." The present day Chennai region and Tirupathi were under the domains of this Fort.
[edit] Under Vijayanagara Empire (1566–1656)
The Fort gained strategic prominence following the re-establishment of Vijayanagar rule (after Talikota battle) in Chandragiri. The Aravidu Dynasty that held the title of Rayas in 17th century resided in this fort using it as a base in the battle of Toppur in 1620s. This major battle took place for the claimant of the Raya title within two faction of the Raya family. They were supported by their subordinates; the Nayaks of Tanjore, Gingee and Madurai taking sides to suit their interests.
The Rayas also had long-running battles with their long time rivals, the Bijapur Sultans; and with the Nayaks of Madurai and Gingee over non remittance of annual tributes. In the 1640s during the reign of Sriranga Raya III, the Fort was briefly captured by the Bijapur army but was eventually defeated and sent back with the help of the Nayaks of Tanjore.
During Sriranga Raya's reign in 1614 a coup broke out within the royal family and the reigning Emperor Sriranga Raya and his royal family were murdered, with the younger son Rama Deva Raya of the Emperor smuggled out from the fort by some well-wishers. The events led to the Battle of Toppur in 1616, one of the largest South Indian wars of the century,[citation needed] with all other Nayak ruler of Tamil Country taking part. The war was won by the legal claimants with minor Rama Deva Raya getting crowned as the Aravidu Vijayanagara Emperor in 1617.
In 1639, Francis Day of the East India Company obtained a small strip of Land in the Coromandel Coast from the Chieftains of Vellore-Chandragiri regions to do trading, which is now in present day Chennai.
[edit] Capture by Bijapur (1656–1678)
In the 1650s, Sriranga allied with the Mysore and Tanjore Nayaks and marched south to attack Gingee and Madurai. His first stop was the capture of Gingee Fort, but Thirumalai Nayak of Madurai responded by requesting the Sultan of Bijapur to attack Vellore from the North to divert Sriranga's attention. The Bijapur Sultan promptly dispatched a large army and captured Vellore Fort, later both the Madurai-Bijapur armies converged in Gingee defeating the Vellore-Tanjore forces. After a melee both the Forts ended up with the Sultan of Bijapur. The defeat also marked the end of the last direct line of Vijayanagara emperors. Within 20 years, the Marathas seized the fort from the Bijapur Sultans.
[edit] Capture by Marathas (1678–1707)
In 1676, the Marathas under Shivaji marched South to the Tanjore country which was recently attacked and captured by Chokkanatha Nayak of Madurai. That same year, Ekoji,the brother of Shivaji took control of Tanjore, but was under threat from their immediate neighbours Madurai and Bijapur Sultans based in Gingee and Vellore respectively. Shivaji's army first captured the Gingee Fort in 1677, but left the task of attacking Vellore to his assistant and rushed to Deccan as his territories were attacked by Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. In 1688 after a prolonged siege of fourteen months, the Fort passed on to the Marathas. Shivaji's representative ruled this area with relative peace until 1710 strengthening the fortifications.
[edit] Capture by Mughal Army 1707–1760
In 1707, the year that Aurangazeb died, the Delhi Army under Daud Khan captured Vellore Fort after defeating the Marathas. The struggle for Delhi throne empowered the Deccan Muslim governors to declare independence. In 1710 the recently established Nawab of Arcot under Sadat Ullah Khan followed suit. Dost Ali, the latter's successor in 1733, gifted the fort to one of his sons-in-law.
[edit] Under control of British 1760–1947
Following the decline of Madurai Nayaks and coinciding with the emergence of the British on the Madras coast, the Nawab and his sons-in-law broke out into a feud for the title of Nawab. The Nawab was supported by the British and the rival claimants by the French resulting in the Carnatic Wars. The British Nawab's victory in the 1760s in the Battle of Plassey finally sealed the fate of the French in India and launched Britain's dominance of the Indian subcontinent. In addition, the British took possession of Vellore fort with relative ease and used the Fort as a major garrison until Indian independence. The British also experienced their first rebellion in 1806 in this fort by its Indian soldiers, who killed over 100 Europeans.
In 1780, the Fort was attacked by Hyder Ali in his wars against the British, but an English garrison held out against Hyder Ali for over two years.
[edit] Construction
The Built area is around 133 acres (0.54 km²), situated above 220 mts on plains nestled within the broken range of Eastern Ghats near Palar riverbanks. The walls are constructed using heavy blocks of green granite rocks sourced from nearby hills in Arcot and Chitoor Districts.
The fortification consists of a main rampart broken at irregular intervals by round towers and rectangular projections. The crenellated parapets have wide merlons for musket fire. The fort is surrounded by a moat which was once filled with crocodiles to create a formidable extra line of defense.This broad moat is fed with water by subterranean drains from the Suryagunta tank. The rampart can also accommodate two cart wagons abreast.
The fort is considered to one of the most perfect specimens of military architecture in Southern India and is known for its grand ramparts, wide moat and robust masonry. The Vellore Fort is now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
There is supposed to be a tunnel deep below the fort leading to a temple in a village known as Virinjipuram exactly 12 km away. The king used that in order to escape if there were any major attacks. The tunnel still exist but its been closed due to some problems, the mouth of the tunnel in Virinjipuram temple can be seen. It is placed near mother goddess(AMMAN).Its remained closed for years since there might be dangerous gas or reptiles inside.Some people say that some archeologists have tried exploring that but didn't return.
[edit] Spiritual complex
The fort is an interesting complex compromising a temple, a mosque, a church and a series of British military buildings. Among the various protected historical monument inside the fort, the most magnificent is the Sri Jalakanteswarar temple devoted to Lord Siva. The temple manifests a double Gopuram and impressive mandapam.
Vellore Fort Dating back to the 13th century this ancient fort is the main attraction for tourists. This historically famous fort retains the past glory with its ramparts, basements, turrets, posts, and gates with its perennial water supply. Double walls fortify it and the main walls are made of massive granite blocks as the strongest fortress during the Carnatic War in 17th century and witnessed the revolt of Indian Soldiers during the mutiny of 1857.
The fort houses of Temple, Mosque & a Church and many building that are now used as public Offices.
Jalagandeeswarar Temple: The temple stands inside the fort and is dedicated to Jalagandeeswar. The temple is noted for its sculptures, and speaks volumes of the exquisite craftsmanship of the highly skilled artisans of that period. The sculpture in the porch on the left of the entrance is a masterpiece appreciated by the connoisseurs of art and architecture. It has a big wedding hall adorned with elegant reliefs and monolithic sculptures. This temple was used for long as an arsenal and remained without deity. A few years back it has been sanctified with an idol of Lord Shiva.
The Mosque: The mosque was constructed during the last Arcod Navab's period.
The Church: The Church inside the Great Fort was constructed during the early British period (Robert Clive, East Indian Company).
Muthu Mandapam: This is a memorial built around the tombstone of Vikramraja Singh, the last Tamil ruler of Kandy. Situated on the bank Palar River, it is just one km north of Vellore town.
Government Museum: This is a multi purpose museum maintained by the Department of Museum Government of Tamil Nadu. It treasures ancient and present day curios relating to Anthropology, Botany, Geology, Numismatics, Pre-history, Zoology, etc. Historical monuments of the erstwhile composite North Arcot district are gracefully depicted in the gallery. This museum is kept open on all days between 9.00 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m and 5.00 p.m. except on holidays. Admission is free.
[edit] First Sepoy Mutiny
[edit] Causes
In 1806, the Vellore fort was used by the British to station Infantry Military units of the Madras Regiment.The British Commander in chief of the Madras Army prescribed a new round hat for soldiers replacing the turbans and removal of beards, caste markings and jewellery, which the Sepoys considered offensive and were further fuelled by rumours that the hat was made of the hide of cows and pigs.
[edit] Events
On July 10, 1806, before sunrise, Indian Sepoys stationed in the Fort attacked the European barracks stationed there, and by late morning killed around 15 Officers and 100 English soldiers and ransacking their houses. Some of the rebelling Soldiers also instigated the sons of Tipu Sultan to lead the campaign. The news quickly reached a Colonel commanding the Cavalry Cantonment in Arcot, who reached the Fort reached with heavy battalions and quickly put down the rebelling solders. The rebelling native Sepoys numbering more than 800 were mercilessly hounded and killed. By noon the rebellion was put down. The events lead to a Court inquiry by the British who also decided to shift Tipu Sultans family from Vellore to faraway Calcutta in isolation.
[edit] Aftermath
The news of the Vellore Rebellion sent shockwaves in England. The Governor, William Bentinck and Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army, Sir John Cradock both were recalled on this count.
[edit] Royal Captives
[edit] Family of Tipu Sultan
After the fall of Shreerangapatanam in 1799 and the death of Tipu Sultan, his family was detained in the fort. They were Tipu Sultans sons and daughters, Wife and his Mother, the wife ofHyder Ali. After the 1806 Sepoy Mutiny, the British transferred Tipu's sons and daughters to Calcutta. The Tombs of Bakshi Begum (d.1806), widow of Hyder Ali and Padshah Begum, Tipu's wife, who died in 1834 are located with a kilometre to the eastern side of the Fort.
[edit] Last King of Kandy
Vellore Fort also became the final destination for the last ruling monarch of Sri Lanka, the Nayaks of Kandy, who were of Telugu origins, an extension of the Madurai rulers. Sri Vikrama Rajasinha 1798-1815 was defeated by the British in 1816 and the whole family was taken as royal prisoners.
The King and his family were supplied with everything they needed. In addition, the government supplied clothing, jewels and workmen for making ornaments for the ladies. The King lived for 17 years in confinement, and died of dropsy on January 30, 1832, aged fifty-two years and his ashes bringing to an end the Royal line of Kandy.
[edit] Conservation
The Fort is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, while the Temple is cared by a Trust. The fort is well maintained when compared to other monuments.
[edit] Tourism
The Fort complex is promoted by the state government as a historical tourist destination. It attracts people who come to Vellore, which also houses the renowned Vellore Christian Hospital. The National Highway that connects Chennai with the Western parts of the region passes through Vellore town, and the Katpadi Railway Junction is just 6 km from the Town. Nearest Airports are Tirupathi, Chennai and Bangalore.
[edit] Commemorations
In 1981 the Post and Telegraph Department of India released a stamp commemorating the Fort. In July 2006 a stamp marking the 200th anniversary of the Mutiny was released by the Tamilnadu Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi.
[edit] Early traveller chronicles
Jacques de Coutré was a European traveller in the region during 1610's and noted the Vellore Fort as following…
“We arrived in the city of Belur, which is also walled, with two walls of stone, and is more than two leagues in circuit, with very deep moats full of water. It seemed to be almost two cities. I have never seen a city that was so fortified and which had such lovely walls and bastions as this one. We prize the cities of Antwerp and Flanders, but neither can compare in their fortifications or loveliness to this city”
[edit] External links
[edit] History / Reference
- Article on Vellore Revolt 1806 - Bi-Centenary Commemoration Committee
- Vellore — the town with the "healing touch"
- Vellore Fort History by Indian Postal Dept.
- When the Vellore sepoys rebelled
- Revisiting Vellore's hoary past
- Colonial British perspective on the Sepoy Mutiny at Vellore Fort
- Rulers of Arcot
- Tamils dispute India mutiny date
- Historic monuments in Vellore district
[edit] Bibliography
- Rao, Velcheru Narayana, and David Shulman, Sanjay Subrahmanyam. Symbols of substance : court and state in Nayaka period Tamilnadu (Delhi ; Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1998) ; xix, 349 p., [16] p. of plates : ill., maps ; 22 cm. ; Oxford India paperbacks ; Includes bibliographical references and index ; ISBN 0-19-564399-2.
- Sathianathaier, R. History of the Nayaks of Madura [microform] by R. Sathyanatha Aiyar ; edited for the University, with introduction and notes by S. Krishnaswami Aiyangar ([Madras] : Oxford University Press, 1924) ; see also ([London] : H. Milford, Oxford university press, 1924) ; xvi, 403 p. ; 21 cm. ; SAMP early 20th-century Indian books project item 10819.
- Vriddhagirisan V,Nayaks of Tanjore ,ISBN : 8120609964,Reprint Annamalainagar 1942 edn.) 1995
