Vellore Fort

Vellore Fort
Vellore
Vellore Kottai
Vellore Fort is located in Tamil Nadu
Vellore Fort
Vellore Fort
Coordinates12°55′15″N 79°07′42″E / 12.92083°N 79.12833°E / 12.92083; 79.12833
TypeFort and Temple Complex
Heightn/a
Site information
OwnerArchaeological Survey of India
Controlled byArchaeological Survey of India
Open to
the public
Yes
ConditionPreserved as Historic Monument
Site history
Built1566; 458 years ago (1566)
Built byVijayanagara Kingdom
In useTill date
MaterialsGranite
Battles/warsBattle of Thoppur, Carnatic Wars,
EventsVellore Mutiny
Garrison information
OccupantsVijayanagara Empire, Nawabs of Arcot, Maratha Empire, British India
Stone carving of the ceiling with intricate details

Vellore Fort is a large 16th-century fort situated in heart of the Vellore city, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India built by the Emperors of Vijayanagara. The fort was at one time the imperial capital of the Aravidu Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire. The fort is known for its grand ramparts, wide moat and robust masonry.

The fort's ownership passed from Emperors of Vijayanagara, to the Bijapur sultans, to the Marathas, to the Carnatic Nawabs and finally to the British, who held the fort until India gained independence. The Indian government maintains the fort with the Archaeological Department. During British rule, the Tipu Sultan's family and the last King of Sri Lanka, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha were held as prisoners in the fort. It is also a witness to the massacre of the Vijayanagara royal family of Sriranga Raya. The fort houses the Jalakanteswarar Hindu temple, the Christian St. John's Church and a Muslim mosque, of which the Jalakanteswarar Temple is famous for its magnificent carvings.[1] The first significant military rebellion against British rule, the Vellore Mutiny, erupted at this fort in 1806.[2]

Vellore Fort is one of the most popular tourist destinations for both domestic and international visitors to Tamil Nadu.[3]

  1. ^ Karkar, S.C. (2009). The Top Ten Temple Towns of India. Kolkota: Mark Age Publication. p. 47. ISBN 978-81-87952-12-1.
  2. ^ "When the Vellore sepoys rebelled". The Hindu. 6 August 2006. Archived from the original on 2 December 2006. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  3. ^ "Vellore Fort | Vellore District, Government of Tamil Nadu | India". Retrieved 26 October 2023.