VELLORE, Tamil Nadu

Main Attraction: Vellore Fort

The Vellore Fort was built during 13th century which attracts large number of tourists. This Fort retains the past glory with its ramparts, basements, turrets, posts, sally gates and with perennial water supply. It is fortified by double walls and the main walls are made of massive granite blocks laid one over the other without using mortar. It was described as the strongest fortress in the Carnatic war in 17th century and witnessed the revolt of Indian soldiers during the mutiny of 1857.

The Fort houses a Hindu Temple, a Church and a Mosque. There are many buildings that are now used as Public Offices.

Brief History

Vellore became an important provincial centre of Vijayanagara Empire with a strong Fort and Nayakas to rule the region from here. Of this family, important ruler was Chinna Bomma Nayaka, who patronized the Javarakandesvara (Jalakandeswara) temple. His son Lingama Nayaka unsuccessfully rebelled against the Vijayanagara ruler Venkata II (A.D. 1586-1614) in A.D. 1604 when the power of Vijayanagara was waning.

Venkata II shifted his residence from Chandragiri to Vellore for some time. In his court were present few Jesuit priests, who were allowed to build a Church within the Fort. Vellore remained the seat of later Vijayanagara rulers in their precarious existence till A.D. 1681.

However, the fort was captured by Mir Jumla in A.D. 1646 from the Vijayanagara rulers. It changed hands to Sivaji in A.D. 1677 after a protracted siege. The fort remained with the Marattas till the Mughal captured it in A.D. 1708.

In the early decades of the 18th century Vellore was under Mutaza Ali, a relative of the Nawab of Arcot. It was converted into a British garrison by A.D. 1760 during the intense conflict between the British and Hyder Ali for Carnatic regime. Hyder Ali seized the Fort in 1780 A.D. and the British had to struggle hard to lift the siege. Vellore was the base of Lord Cornwallis in his campaign against Tippu Sultan. It was here the family of Tippu was kept under the arrest after his fall. In A.D. 1806, the Sepoys of Vellore rose heroically in mutiny against the British army officer which was promptly quelled.