Gingee Fort - Tamilnadu

Accommodation

Gingee Fort also known as Chinji or Jinji in Tamilnadu, dates back to the 9th century when the Cholas had a very strong hold on it. Gingee with its province extending from Nellore in the north to the Coleroon (Kollidam) in the south. But the fort as it looks today is the handiwork of the Vijayanagar kings who made it an unconquerable monument. This fort is one of the few surving forts in Tamil Nadu and is much more popular for its temples than forts. This fort lies in Villupuram district, 160 km (100 mtrs) from the state capital, Chennai and is close to the union territory of Pondicherry.

History
According to local legend, Gingee Amman, was one of the seven virgins who were the guardian deities of the Village. Around 1200 Ananda Kone, the chief of the local shepherd community, fortified this fort. In 1240 A. D. Krishna Kone, his successor is said to have fortified the northern hill, which later came to be known as Krishnagiri. The kone dynasty gave way to the kurumbars, who established their headquarters at Sendamangalam, which later came under the powerful Chola Empire. Recorded history goes back to the 16th century, when Gingee became the seat of the Nayaka rulers, who were under the lordship of the expanding Vijayanagar Empire. Krishnadevaraya appointed Krishnappa Nayaka, and he was considered the founder of the Nayaka line of Gingee.

Most of the structures, fortification walls and temples were built during this period. Surrounded by high walls, it was so strategically planned as to make enemies think twice before they attacked. The fort was built as a strategic place of fending off any invading Muslim armies. Strongly guarded by a triple gate beyond which lay equally heavily guarded courts, the summit of the Rajagiri could not have been easily attained by any of the enemies. The fortifications and defenses were further strengthened under Chhatrapati Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler in 1677 A. D., who recaptured it from the Bijapur sultans who had originally taken control of the fort from the Marathas.

Mostly during the 1690`s, this fort was under a constant siege by the Mughals, who were unable to enter the fortress for over a decade, before finally coming under their control. Gingee came under the hegemony of the Moghul emperor Aurangzeb in 1691 A. D., and Sarup Singh was appointed as the chief of Gingee by the emperor, under the control of the Nawab of Arcot. When Sarup Singh`s son Raja De Singh, revolted against the Nawab of Arcot, he was defeated and killed in the war that followed. Then Gingee became a part of the Nawabs territory in 1714 A. D.
 

However, 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. A place of great historic interest, this fort was so well fortified that Shivaji ranked it as the "most impregnable fortress in India" and the British called it the "Troy of the East". However, after the fort passed into British hands, it did not see any further advancement and was declared as a 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.

Site & Architecture

The fort consists of three hills, connected by walls enclosing an area of 7 square km. It was built at a breathtaking height of 800 feet (240 m) and protected by an 80-foot (24 m) wide moat. One has to pass through an uneven flight of steps along the rocky hill track. The fort also had an eight-storeyed Kalyana Mahal (marriage hall), granaries, prison cells, a military gymnasium and a temple dedicated to its presiding female Hindu deity called Chenjiamman.

Kalyana Temple: The Kalyana Mahal is one of the most attractive ruins in the fort that is built in Indo-Islamic style. It consists of a square court, surrounded by rooms for the ladies of the Governors household. In the middle of this court, there is a 27-meter high square tower, built of stone. The tower has a pyramidal roof. The rooms in this tower are very similar to other Vijayanagar Nayaka buildings elsewhere.

Sacred Pond: The fortifications contain a sacred pond known as aanaikulam, on the way to the Hanuman temple. Chakkarakulam and chettikulam are the two famous ponds in this fort. Chettikulam was built by Raja shetty during the Maratha occupation of the place, towards the end of the 18th century. To the north of this pond is a platform believed to be Raja Desingh funeral pyre, where his young wife committed sati.

Vekataramana Temple: Located to the west of the inner gate of the lower citadel, the temple contains a remarkable sculpture depicting Lord Krishna playing on the flute with is two consorts. This is the largest temple in Gingee, which was built by Muthiah Nayaka in 1550 AD. Another interesting feature in this temple is a finely polished, broad smooth slab found in front of the temple.

Ranganatha Temple: Built in typical Indo-Islamic style, the Audience hall is a damaged roof supported by a series of graceful little pointed arches. The Magazine building is also a noteworthy structure. Built in typical Vijayanagar style, is the famous Rangantha Temple. To the south of the watchtower, is a big iron cannon, roughly 4 meters long, and 2 meters in circumference. In style and form, this cannon is very similar to the Malik-1-Maidan of Bijapur.

Barracks And Stables: On the western side of the Kalyana Mahal one can see a series of low vaulted and arched cells that are referred to as the Barracks and Stables, but now it has been converted into Archaeological Conservation Training camp.

Gymnasium And Granary: It is the largest granary built in stone with a spacious entrance passage and its walls are nearly 2 metres thick. A stone structure, with barrel-vaulted roof, found on the Northern-Eastern side of the granary is said to be the Gymnasium.

Sad-At-Ullam Khan Mosque: This Mosque is located at the entrance of the inner fort of Rajagiri and was erected by Sad-at-Ullah Khan to commemorate his victory over De Singh and the capture of the fort in 1713 AD. According to a Persian inscription found here, the mosque is said to have been constructed in 1717-1718 AD.

Prisoner`s Well: Situated behind the Chakkaraikulam on the Rajagiri hill, this low circulation brick well is said to be the place where prisoners were thrown and left to die of starvation. Bathtubs with continuous supply of water, a huge cannon on the top of the fort near Chakrakulam-Kunda (reservoir) are a treasure for the tourists.

Other buildings and structures in the fort complex were raised by the successive rulers of Gingee belonging to the Vijayanagar, Nayaka, Maratha, Mughal, Carnatic Nawab, the French and British families during the period from 1383 to 1780 AD.

How to Get There

Gingee is a panchayat town in Viluppuram district (South Arcot district) in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. which is located on the Thindivanam to Thiruvannamalai road about 25 km from Thindivanam.

150km from Chennai.
65 km from Puducherry (Pondycherry).

The nearest town with a railway station is Tindivanam and villupuram
The nearest airport Chennai 150km (Madras).