Gingee Fort also known as Chinji or Jinji in Tamil Nadu, India is one of the few surving forts in Tamil Nadu - which is much more popular for its temples than forts. It lies in Villupuram district, 160 Kms (80 miles) from the state capital, Chennai and is close to the union territory of Pondicherry. So well fortified was this place that Shivaji ranked it as the "most impregnable fortress in India" and was called as the "Troy of the East" by the British. Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Villupuram is an administrative district in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. ... Chennai (சென்னை in Tamil), formerly known as Madras, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and is Indias fourth largest city. ... ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chhatrapati Shri Shivaji Maharaj (February 19, 1630 - April 3, 1680) was the founder of the Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ... Walls of the excavated city of Troy (Turkey) This article is about the city of Troy / Ilion as described in the works of Homer, and the location of an ancient city associated with it. ...

History

Originally the site of a small fort built by the Chola dynasty in 9th century A.D. it was later modified by the Vijayanagar empire in the 13th Century to elevate it to the status of an unbreachable citadel to protect the small town of Gingee. The fort was built as a strategic place of fending off any invading muslim armies. The fort was further strengthened by the Marathas under the leadership of Shivaji in 1677 A.D. who recaptured it from the Bijapur sultans who had originally taken control of the fort from the Maratas. For most part of the 1690s the fort was under constant seige by the Mughals who were unable to enter the fortress for over a decade before finally coming under their control. It was later passed on to the Carnatic Nawabs who lost it to the French in 1750 before the British finally took control in 1761 despite losing it to Hyder Ali for a brief period. The Cholas were the most famous of the three dynasties that ruled ancient Tamil Nadu. ... This earthenware dish was made in 9th century Iraq. ... The Vijayanagara empire was based in the Deccan, in peninsular and southern India, from 1336 onwards. ... This article is about a type of fortification. ... Maratha is a kshatriya (warrior) caste of Marathi-speaking people primarily residing in the plains and hills of Indias western state of Maharashtra. ... Events First performance of Racines tragedy, Phèdre Sarah Churchill marries John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough Battle of Cassel, Philippe I of Orléans defeats William of Orange Mary II of England marries William of Orange English Statute of frauds is passed into law Battle of Landskrona Elias... Bijapur is a district in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... Events March 2 - Small earthquake in London April 4 - Small earthquake in Warrington, England August 23 - Small earthquake in Spalding, England September 30 - Small earthquake in Northampton, England November 16 – Westminster Bridge officially opened Jonas Hanway is the first Englishman to use an umbrella James Gray reveals her sex to... 1761 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Hyder Ali or Haidar Ali (c. ...

Structure

It was built at a breathtaking height of 800 feet, and protected by an 80-foot wide moat. It had 8 storeyed Kalyana Mahala (Marriage hall), Graneries, Prison cells, a military gymnasium and a temple dedicated to its presiding female deity called Chenjiamman. The fortifications contain a sacred pond known as aanaikulam. The walls of the fort is a mixture of natural hilly terrain comprising the Krishnagiri, Chakkilidrug and Rajagiri hills while the gaps were sealed with the main wall that measures 20 metres in thickness. It was thus an impressive sight where the defendent could seal himself indefinitely. A pond is a body of water smaller than a lake. ...

Legends of Gingee

Perhaps the most enduring legend in Tamil culture was that of the tragic tale of Raja Tej Singh, popularly known in Tamil as "Thesingu Raasan". The true life story of Tej Singh and his general Mehboob Khan (aka Maavuthukaran), both of whom were friends has inspired many poems, street plays and countless other stories. Son of Swarup Singh, he revolted against the Nawab of Arcot, and was defeated and killed in the war that followed. Though Gingee became a part of the Nawabs territory in 1714 the young and courageous TejSingh became a legend and his life, love and brave but tragic end were eulogised in various ballads. A Nawab was originally the provincial governor or viceroy of a province or region of the Mughal empire. ... Arcot is a town in Vellore District of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. ... // Events August 1 - George, elector of Hanover becomes King George I of Great Britain. ...

Current condition

After the fort passed into British hands, it did not see any further action. The fort at Gingee was declared as National Monument in 1921 and was under the Archeological Department. Recently the Tourism Department of India has tried to popularise this remote and oft forgotten fort in Tamil Nadu. Gingee today, with its ruined forts, temples and granaries, presents a different picture from the glorious splendor of its bygone days. But the remains of that glorious past, speak volumes about the numerous invasions, warfare and bravery that it witnessed. 1921 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The word temple has different meanings in the fields of architecture, religion, geography, anatomy, and education. ... For other uses of War, see War (disambiguation). ...

References

1. Encyclopedia Britannica, edition CD Edition (2002). Article: Prisoner of War
2. Government of India Information booklets.

1913 advertisement for the 11th edition, with the slogan When in doubt - look it up in the Encyclopædia Britannica The Encyclopædia Britannica (properly spelt with æ, the ae-ligature) is the oldest English-language general encyclopedia. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

External Links

• Indian Government site
• History of the fort from French accounts
• More information on Gingee fort