The fort is also called desing raja kottai or the fort of the rajput chieftain tej singh. It lies in villupuram district, 160 kilometers 99 mi from the state capital, chennai, and is close to the union territory of puducherry. This region was controlled at different points in history by the hoysalas, chalukyas, vijayanagar, nawabs, maratha chieftain murari rao, tipu sultan, nizam and eventually came under british rule after it was ceded to the british by the nizam of hyderabad. Popular general history books showing 150 of 8,837 guns, germs, and steel. Gingee was the name given by the english to the historic town of. The fort was at one time the headquarters of the aravidu dynasty of the vijayanagara empire. The fort at gingee has been occupied by the vijayanagara kings, the nayakas, the adil shahi dynasty, the marathas, the french and the british. The fort consists of three hills, connected by walls enclosing an area of 7 km it was built at a breathtaking height of 800 feet 240 m, and protected by an 80foot 24 m wide moat. Selcer covers fort worths progression from military outpost to county seat to trail town, rail hub, regional gateway, oil capital, and ultimately worldclass city. Gingee fort tours,pondicherry tours,south india tourism.
The most comprehensive account of the fort is the book history of gingee and its rulers 1943 by noted historian c s srinivasachari. Although gingee had been a fortified centre as early as 1240 ce, it was during the rule of krishnappa that the present layout of the garh mahal fort was established 9. The gingee fort happens to be one of the few surviving forts in tamil nadu. It is perched atop three hillocks namely, rajagiri, krishnagiri and chandragiri that lies about 35 km from thiruvannamalai. Gingee fort how shivaji maharaj captured it from bijapur. Out at gingee fort and its silent history december 8, 2016 uncategorized tskraghu continuing with my account of our short holiday at club mahindras cm resort at pondicherry, thanks to my sisterinlaw. Gingee is a panchayat town in villupuram district erstwhile south arcot district in the indian state of tamil nadu. Today gingee fort is placed as a memorial in the pages of history and also for the sake of its admirers. Gingee fort known as the troy of the east by british has a. Rudramadevi history, achievements and administration. Pandyan empire 600 ce1650 ce extent of the pandya territories c.
Bourdat of lycee francaise in his book 18th century pondicherry published in 1992 writes about inland forts, but fortunately the task to write about senji gingee. If you consider the south, golconda fort in hyderabad is very famous. From the book karnataka rajakkal savistara charitham british historian. This is just a candle while we have to illuminate gingee s history with lights. This fort is one of the oldest fort found in tamil nadu which is best known for its architectural excellence. So well fortified was this place that shivaji ranked it as the most impregnable fortress in india and it was called the troy. Rudramadevi history rani rudramadevi was born in 1262 ce. Gingee fort or senji fort also known as chenji, chanchi, jinji or senchi in tamil nadu, india is one of the surviving forts in tamil nadu, india. Gingee is situated southwest of madras and was established during the chola dynasty. Gingee senji is a panchayat town in villupuram district erstwhile south arcot district in the indian state of tamil nadu.
Gingee fort 2020 all you need to know before you go with. History gingee rajagiri fort krishnagiri fort kalyana mahal sri. In 1638, gingee came under the control of bijapur sultanate from vijayanagar. About the book senji, immortalized by desings ballad, still popular in south. Its origin dates back to the 9 th century when it was a stronghold of the cholas but the fort as it looks today is the handiwork of the vijaynagara kings who made it an impregnable citadel. Gingee is located between three hills covering a perimeter of 3. It will be difficult to study about the complete history about marathas in 1 book. The hinduism has been thriving by following the principles of vedas. In 1983, when i was posted as the district collector of south arcot district, i was informed about a unique fort situated in the northwestern corner of the district in the centre of gingee taluk. The kon dynasty laid the foundations for the gingee fort in 1190 ad. Sep 03, 2014 in the beginning, gingee was the place of the jains but later due to rule of pallava, chola kings, pandya, hoysalas, vijayanagara kings. The hindu devotees worship these sacred books with utmost respect. The fort is about the penobscot expedition of 1779. A write up on a great historical fort in gingee in villipuram dist t nadu see 107 traveler.
Muhammadans, mughals and the indifferent attitude of foreigners, the gingee fort, which was surrounded by the granite walls, the mandapas, the temples inside the fort, was gradually destroyed. You will have to read a minimum of three books for complete understanding. In 1160 ad, the chauhan rulers took over delhi from tomars, along with it the fort city of lal kot, the first extant city of delhi. What is the best book for the complete history of the. He has also penned a book in tamil varaltaril gingee.
What are some of the greatest fortresses ever built they. According to historian narayan, a small village called melacerri, located 3 mi 4. Her father ganapatideva who is the founder of kakatiya dynasty. Cornwell is at the top of the heap as a writer of historical fiction, beyond doubt. Gingee fort shall always be remembered for protecting the maratha empire at a time when it was the most vulnerable. Gingee fort or senji fort also known as chenji, jinji or senchi in tamil nadu, india is one of the surviving forts in tamil nadu, india. Thereafter prithviraj chauhan whose capital was ajmer in rajasthan, enlarged the lal kot, which had large rubble walls and ramparts, and renamed it qila fort of rai pithora or qila rai pithora. Gingee is famous for a fort complex dating back to th century, located on the 3 different hill summit covering 3km boundary area. The nearest towns with railway stations are tindivanam, 28 km away, and thiruvannamalai, 29 km away. Going by the words of historian narayan, a small village called melacerri, situated 4. The mackenzie manuscripts behold the one such sources of gingee forts construction. The granaries of the gingee fort, the kalyana mahal and the thick walls enclosing the three hills of gingee are attributed to krishnappa nayaka 8.
Successively occupied by the hindus of vijayanagar, the nayakas, the muslims of bijapur, the marathas, the mughals and finally by the french in 1750, it was, at the end of the 16th century, one of the biggest cities of the peninsula. Jan 09, 2017 i have been wanting to post about my trip to gingee and my trek to rajagiri fort for while but couldnt find time. Gingee in puducherry is one of the finest forts in south india. It had over 11 miles of tunnels, more than three hu.
A small british garrison had been established in what is now maine and was then part of massachusetts, and the rebel government in boston was determined to expel that garrison. The battle to take it was one of the costliest in modern history. A history of gingee and its rulers internet archive. Its origin dates back to the 9th century when it was a stronghold of the cholas but the fort as it looks today is the handiwork of the vijaynagara kings who made it an impregnable citadel. Now book gingee fort gingee tickets online instantly on yatra. Jun 24, 2018 pandyan empire 600 ce1650 ce extent of the pandya territories c. History of to know about the fort from prehistoric time clear evidence were not available. Vedas the ancient sacred books of hinduism india the destiny. Apart from being a unique architectural feat it is one of the few forts in the state. The fort was later built by the chola dynasty in the th century. Gingee fort also known as chenji or jinji or senchi in tamil nadu, india is one of the few surviving forts in tamil nadu, india.
History says that the gingee fort, also known as senji fort or jingi fort is known to have. Gingee also pronounced, as shingee is 37km east of thiruvannamalai. The history of gingee didnt end after its capture by the mughals. History continue gingee under the rule of vijayanagar kings. This fort is 160 kilometers away from chennai and it is close to pondicherry city.
Thereafter prithviraj chauhan whose capital was ajmer in rajasthan, enlarged the lal kot, which had large rubble walls and ramparts, and renamed it qila. The pages of this forts history have many accounts. To know about the history of a fort situated in tamil nadu, more than the universities and research institutions in india, the french institute called ecole francaise dextreme orient has been rendering valuable services a contribution which must be acknowledged with a deep sense of gratitude. Gingee was the name given by the english to the historic town of senji, located approximately 160km from chennai by. It went to become the most prized possession of mughals until it was captured by french and then by the british east india company with whom it remained till. The main source for the first two hundred years of the history of the place is the complete history of the carnatic. Gingee a fortified city in the tamil country exotic india. So now here it is an awesome trek called gingee fort rajagiri fort. Gingee in puducherry external website that opens in a new window is one of the finest forts in south india. Nov 19, 2019 gingee in puducherry is one of the finest forts in south india. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet.
The fort at gingee was declared a national monument in 1921 and was under the archeological department. The present concept of the hinduism revolving around the sacred books. Maratha history starts with the birth of chhatrapati shivaji mahraj in 1630 and ends with. History says that the gingee fort, also known as senji fort or jingi fort is known to have been built not completely by the cholas in the 9th century. Gingee fort, commonly called as senji fort is located in viluppuram district of tamil nadu. Learn about the bloody battles and rough history of the fort. Vellore fort is a large 16thcentury fort situated in heart of the vellore city, in the state of tamil nadu, india built by vijayanagara kings. Mar 14, 2016 rudramadevi history rani rudramadevi was born in 1262 ce. Oct 26, 2015 gingee fort or senji fort also known as chenji, jinji or senchi in tamil nadu, india is one of the surviving forts in tamil nadu, india. To know about the fort from prehistoric time clear evidence were not available. Located in pondicherry, this is a popular place for tourists and local alike. Gingee fort troy of the east india the land of hearts. Rudramadevi ruled the kakatiya dynasty from 1262 to 1295 ce. Jun 26, 2017 gingee fort or senji fort also known as chenji, chanchi, jinji or senchi in tamil nadu, india is one of the surviving forts in tamil nadu, india.
Gingee fort attraction ticket book chennai tours best offers. Monuments gingee fort culture and heritage know india. Much of what he writes is based on historical incidents for which very few records remain e. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. The fortified city is built on the seven hills, the most prominent of which are krishnagiri, chandragiri and rajagiri.
With some of the collected details, historians framed the history of gingee fort. See how the fort fared under the rule of jains, pallavas, cholas, pandyas and more. Gingee fort indias most impregnable fortress passing. Gingee fort troy of the east gingee fort counts amongst the few forts that are still in existence in tamil nadu. The pages of this fort s history have many accounts. Jan 30, 2019 it will be difficult to study about the complete history about marathas in 1 book. The mackenzie manuscripts behold the one such sources of gingee fort s construction.
Qila rai pithora project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Find complete information related to gingee fort entry ticket price, visiting hours and. Selcer, a native of fort worth, texas, loves and is proud of his home town which he writes warmly about in his history, fort worth, a texas original. I have been wanting to post about my trip to gingee and my trek to rajagiri fort for while but couldnt find time. Gingee fort history board the main source for the first two hundred years of the history of the place is the complete history of the carnatic kings among the mackenzie manuscripts. History of senji fort or gingee fort fame of tamilnadu. Others also say that in the 16th century, it was built by the nayaks of the vijayanagara empire. D from the survey of books that were present during vijayanagar period, we come to know that gingee was under the authority of kopnnarayer during the 14th century a.
It is situated in the villupuram district, which is situated at a distance of approximately 160 km from the chennai city of india. Gingee is famous for its gingee fort, a popular tourist attraction. It lies in villupuram district, 160 kilometres 99 mi from the state capital, chennai, and is close to the union territory of puducherry. A huge fort complex with many interesting view points a great place for a days break. In 1677, it was under the control of maratha king shivaji.
It was built at a breathtaking height of 800 feet 240 m, and protected by an 80foot 24 m wide moat. The need to promote historical tourism is yet to gain momentum in india, that is why a fort with year unbroken history is kept in dark. The gingee fort address is gingee fort, gingee town, pondicherry, tamil nadu, 605101, india. The imperial japanese army an navy fortified every inch of this 8 square mile piece of volcanic slag. Gingee fort indias most impregnable fortress passing ports. Gingee is located between three hills covering a perimeter of 3 km. About the book senji, immortalized by desings ballad, still popular in south india, is a significant place in the tamil country. Jul 29, 2016 vedas very ancient sacred books of hindus. In the beginning, gingee was the place of the jains but later due to rule of pallava, chola kings, pandya, hoysalas, vijayanagara kings. The nearest town with a railway station is tindivanam, 28 km away and thiruvannamalai,39 km. This is just a candle while we have to illuminate gingees history with lights. Book gingee fort entry tickets online, buy online tickets now. The fort is known for its grand ramparts, wide moat and robust masonry. She was one of the most prominent women rulers of the kakatiya dynasty in indian history.