Dindigul Fort
Encyclopedia
The Dindigul Fort is a 17th-century hill fort situated in the town of Dindigul
in the state of Tamil Nadu
in India
. The fort was built by the Madurai Nayak kings in 1605 and was later passed on to Kingdom of Mysore (Mysore Wodeyars) in the early 18th century. Later it became an important fort during Hyder Ali
and Tipu Sultan
reign of Mysore. In 1799 it went to the control of the British East India Company
during the Polygar Wars. There is an abandoned temple on its peak apart from few cannons. Today the fort is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India
and is open to tourists.
(65 km), the huge rock emerges on the horizon like a "Dhindu" (pillow
) — hence the city's name, Dindigul. Amidst paddy fields and coconut
groves
, it stands out like a welcome symbol, one kilometer short of the city centre.
Under the Mysore reign in the 18th century, this fort marked the border between the Madurai and Mysore kingdoms. Dindugul town was not in existence at that time, whereas the region was an amalgamation of a few villages. Today the fort is an important landmark of Dindigul town.
. A temple (Abiramiamman) was later built on the tip of the rock. Rani Mangammal
, during her regime, carved out 600 steps in the rock fort to reach a hill temple
. During the Muslim
invasions the Idol was relocated to the present Abiramiamman temple in Dindigul Bazaar
.
and gunfire
artillery
made its entry during the 17th century; hence the fort has double walls to withstand heavy artillery.
Cannons were installed at vantage points around the fort (still there) with an arms and ammunition godown built with modern safety measures. The double-walled room was fully protected against external threat and was well ventilated. A thin brick wall in one corner of the godown helped guards escape in case of emergency. The sloping ceiling of the godown prevented seepage of rainwater. It has 48 rooms that were once used as cells to lodge war prisoners and slaves, a spacious kitchen, a horse stable and a meeting hall of the army commanders of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.
The fort also has its own rainwater reservoirs constructed by taking advantage of the steep gradient. The construction highlights the ingenuity of Indian kings in their military architecture.
till Tipu Sultan. The fort is known to have played a prominent role during the battles between the Madurai Nayaks and Mysore, Marathas armies, later between Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and British armies.
Hyder Ali's family lived here in 1755 along with his wife and then five-year-old son Tipu. From 1784 to 1790, the fort was under the rule of Tipu Sultan. His chief Commandant, Syed Ibrahim, under whose care the fort was entrusted, constructed several additional rooms, fortified the walls and repaired many parts. Hyder Ali had also constructed a mosque beneath the fort for his soldiers.
After Tipu Sultan was defeated in the II Mysore War in 1790, the British took control of the fort.
The fort receives few visitors — mainly the odd group of college and school students and the occasional foreign tourist.
The steep climb is possibly a deterrent, but makes a good exercise. Once the visitor reaches the summit, a fresh breeze blowing across welcomes him even in the hot sun.
Visitors can walk around the tunnels and trenches en route that reveal how meticulously the ancient fort was constructed to safeguard its inhabitants. The empty temple has some elaborate sculptures and carvings, with the rock cuts still looking untarnished.
From the ruins within the fort walls, one can see structures (perhaps used as arsenal
depots or animal stables) and damaged mandapams (decorated with carved stone columns, complete with dwarapalakas). One can go up to the cannon point and look through the spy holes imagining the sound, light and speed of the fireballs that were released. The view from the fort also offers a breathtaking view of Dindigul on the eastern side and villages and farmland on the other sides.
Lack of funds and facilities has kept the fort misused by nearby dwellers. But in 2005, Keeranur-based ASI in Pudukkottai district
fenced the entire surroundings and refurbished some of the dilapidated structures.
Dindigul
Dindigul is a town and municipality in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India. The name Dindigul comes from the Portmanteau of “Thindu” meaning pillow and “kal” meaning Rock and refers to the bare hill dominating the city’s both land and skyscape...
in the state of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The fort was built by the Madurai Nayak kings in 1605 and was later passed on to Kingdom of Mysore (Mysore Wodeyars) in the early 18th century. Later it became an important fort during Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Born Hyder Naik, he distinguished himself militarily, eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's rulers...
and Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan , also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was the son of Hyder Ali, at that time an officer in the Mysorean army, and his second wife, Fatima or Fakhr-un-Nissa...
reign of Mysore. In 1799 it went to the control of the British East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
during the Polygar Wars. There is an abandoned temple on its peak apart from few cannons. Today the fort is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India
Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India is a department of the Government of India, attached to the Ministry of Culture . The ASI is responsible for archaeological studies and the preservation of archaeological heritage of the country in accordance with the various acts of the Indian Parliament...
and is open to tourists.
Name and location
Approaching from MaduraiMadurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
(65 km), the huge rock emerges on the horizon like a "Dhindu" (pillow
Pillow
A pillow is a large cushion support for the head, usually used while sleeping in a bed, or for the body as used on a couch or chair. There are also throw pillows , which are pillows that are purely decorative and not designed for support or comfort...
) — hence the city's name, Dindigul. Amidst paddy fields and coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
groves
Grove (nature)
A grove is a small group of trees with minimal or no undergrowth, such as a sequoia grove, or a small orchard planted for the cultivation of fruits or nuts...
, it stands out like a welcome symbol, one kilometer short of the city centre.
Under the Mysore reign in the 18th century, this fort marked the border between the Madurai and Mysore kingdoms. Dindugul town was not in existence at that time, whereas the region was an amalgamation of a few villages. Today the fort is an important landmark of Dindigul town.
Under Nayak rulers
The Madurai Nayak king Muthu Krishnappa Naicker started building the rock fort in 1605, and completed it in 1655 during the reign of Thirumalai NayakThirumalai Nayak
Thirumalai Nayak ruled Madurai between 1623 to 1659 CE. He was the most notable of the thirteen Madurai Nayak rulers in the 17th century. His contributions are found in the many splendid buildings and temples of Madurai. His kingdom was under constant threat from the armies of Delhi Sultanate and...
. A temple (Abiramiamman) was later built on the tip of the rock. Rani Mangammal
Rani Mangammal
Rani Mangammal was a queen regent on behalf of her grandson, in the Madurai Nayak kingdom in present day Tamil Nadu, India, towards the end of the century. She was a popular administrator and is still widely remembered as a maker of roads and avenues, and a builder of temples, tanks and choultries...
, during her regime, carved out 600 steps in the rock fort to reach a hill temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
. During the Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
invasions the Idol was relocated to the present Abiramiamman temple in Dindigul Bazaar
Bazaar
A bazaar , Cypriot Greek: pantopoula) is a permanent merchandising area, marketplace, or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold. The term is sometimes also used to refer to the "network of merchants, bankers and craftsmen" who work that area...
.
Under Mysore rulers
Hyder Ali, after taking over the Mysore throne in 1755, made several additions and repairs. The fort played an important role in their campaigns.Construction details
The rock fort is 900 feet high and its circumference is around 2.75 km. CannonCannon
A cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellents to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees,...
and gunfire
Gunfire
Gunfire can refer to:* Gunshot, the discharge of a firearm* Gunfire , a DC comic book superhero* Gunfire , a 1934 Western starring Rex Bell* Gunfire , a 1950 Western starring Don "Red" Barry...
artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
made its entry during the 17th century; hence the fort has double walls to withstand heavy artillery.
Cannons were installed at vantage points around the fort (still there) with an arms and ammunition godown built with modern safety measures. The double-walled room was fully protected against external threat and was well ventilated. A thin brick wall in one corner of the godown helped guards escape in case of emergency. The sloping ceiling of the godown prevented seepage of rainwater. It has 48 rooms that were once used as cells to lodge war prisoners and slaves, a spacious kitchen, a horse stable and a meeting hall of the army commanders of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.
The fort also has its own rainwater reservoirs constructed by taking advantage of the steep gradient. The construction highlights the ingenuity of Indian kings in their military architecture.
Roles in war
The fort took 54 years to build. It was strategically important in several military operations from the Nayak dynastyNayak dynasty
Nayak dynasties emerged after the downfall of Vijayanagara Empire. The Nayaks were originally military governors under the supervision of the Vijayanagara Empire. After the battle of Talikota, several of them declared independence...
till Tipu Sultan. The fort is known to have played a prominent role during the battles between the Madurai Nayaks and Mysore, Marathas armies, later between Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and British armies.
Hyder Ali's family lived here in 1755 along with his wife and then five-year-old son Tipu. From 1784 to 1790, the fort was under the rule of Tipu Sultan. His chief Commandant, Syed Ibrahim, under whose care the fort was entrusted, constructed several additional rooms, fortified the walls and repaired many parts. Hyder Ali had also constructed a mosque beneath the fort for his soldiers.
After Tipu Sultan was defeated in the II Mysore War in 1790, the British took control of the fort.
Visiting the fort
The Archaeological Survey of India's familiar blue board declares the fort a "protected monument" and collects 5 for an entry ticket (100 for foreigners, i.e. $2.00).The fort receives few visitors — mainly the odd group of college and school students and the occasional foreign tourist.
The steep climb is possibly a deterrent, but makes a good exercise. Once the visitor reaches the summit, a fresh breeze blowing across welcomes him even in the hot sun.
Visitors can walk around the tunnels and trenches en route that reveal how meticulously the ancient fort was constructed to safeguard its inhabitants. The empty temple has some elaborate sculptures and carvings, with the rock cuts still looking untarnished.
From the ruins within the fort walls, one can see structures (perhaps used as arsenal
Arsenal
An arsenal is a place where arms and ammunition are made, maintained and repaired, stored, issued to authorized users, or any combination of those...
depots or animal stables) and damaged mandapams (decorated with carved stone columns, complete with dwarapalakas). One can go up to the cannon point and look through the spy holes imagining the sound, light and speed of the fireballs that were released. The view from the fort also offers a breathtaking view of Dindigul on the eastern side and villages and farmland on the other sides.
Lack of funds and facilities has kept the fort misused by nearby dwellers. But in 2005, Keeranur-based ASI in Pudukkottai district
Pudukkottai District
Pudukkottai District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Pudukkottai is the district headquarters...
fenced the entire surroundings and refurbished some of the dilapidated structures.