ABOUT VELLORE

 Vellore had the previlege of being the seat of the Pallava, Chola, Nayak, Maratha, Arcot Nawabs and Bijapur Sultan Kingdoms. It was described as the best and the strongest fortress during the Carnatic War in the 17^th Century. It  witnessed the massacre of European soldier during the mutiny of 1806.

Vellore   district    lies between  12° 15’  to  13° 15’   North  latitudes  and  78° 20’ to 79° 50’  East  longitudes  in  Tamilnadu  State.   The geographical area of this district is 6077 sq. k.m. The total population as per 1991 Census is 30,26,432.

Vellore,  the Headquarters of  Vellore District,   is well  connected  by Rail and Bus routes to major towns  of  the neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and  Kerala. The history of the District assumes  great significance and relevance, as we unfold the glorious past. The Monuments found in the district give a vivid picture of the town through the ages. In the 18^th  Century Vellore District was the scene  of  some of the decisive battles  fought  in Ambur 1749 A.D., Arcot 1751 A.D. and  Vandavasi  1768 A.D. as  a  result of the long – drawn struggle between the English and the French for Supremacy.

One of the monuments of Vellore is the Fort. A very close examination of the stone inscriptions suggests that the Fort in all probability might  have  been built during the rule of Chinna Bommi Nayak (1526 to 1595 A.D.). The Fort  is  one of  the most perfect  specimens of Military  architecture in South India. The Jalakanteswar Temple inside the Fort is a very fine example of Vijayanagar architecture. The Kalyana mantap on  the left of the entrance, with  intricate carvings and delicacy of  execution  bears testimony  to the  engineering marvel and advanced state of sculpture of the times. Another landmarks that have put Vellore on the Centre stage of the world are The Vellore Institute of Technology(VIT) and Christian Medical College & Hospital (CMC).

The outstanding performance of this district in contributing to the Military Service is commendable, as more and more men have enlisted themselves  to the Military Service, to serve the nation with  indomitable spirit and courage. The clock tower in the long bazaar, Vellore was built in 1928 A.D.. A stone  inscription in  the building  reads “VELLORE – FROM THIS VILLAGE 277 MEN WENT TO THE GREAT WAR 1914-18, OF THEM 14 GAVE UP THEIR LIVES“.  This is a recorded testimony to Vellore and the Military prowess of the men of this area.

   HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF VELLORE DISTRICT

Vellore, the Head- Quarters  of  Vellore District  situated   in 12′ 35′ N and 79′ 9′ E , has a very interesting History of its own. A strategically  located town, it is  well connected  by Rail  and bus routes to major towns of the neighboring states like A.P. Karnataka and Kerala. The History of  the district assumes a great significance and relevance, as we unfold the glorious past. It was  under  the  sway   of  various dynasties and  rulers, the  prominent  among them being the Pallavas , Cholas of Uraiyur,  the  Rashtrakutaa  dynasty of  Malkhed, Sambuvarayar,  the rulers of  Vijayanagarm, Mamathas, the Nawabs of the carnatic and the British. The Monuments found  in the district  give a vivid picture of the town through the ages. In the 18 th Century Vellore District was  the  scene of  some of  the  decisive battles fought in Ambur (1749) A.D Arcot (1751) A.D and Vandivasi (1760A.D) as a result  of  the long -drawn struggle between the English and the French for Supremacy.

One of the monuments of Vellore is the fort and its exact date of construction could not be established, in the absence of proper records. A very close examination of the stone inscriptions suggests that the fort in all probability might have been built during the rule of Chinna. Bommi Nayak (1526 to 1595A. D) . The fort is one of the most perfect specimens of Military architecture in South India.

The Jalakandeswarar  Temple inside the fort  is  very  fine example of Vijayanagar architecture. The Kalyana mantap, on   the left of  the entrance, with  intricate caring   and delicacy  of exaction, bears testimony  to the engineering marble and advanced state of sculpture of the times. Another land mark that has put  Vellore on the center stage of Medical world is the  Christian  Medical  College  Hospital.  Dr . IDA  Scudder,  the  American  lady,  with a  missionary zeal, started her Medical work in 1900 A.D. by setting up a very small Hospital, which in the last hundred years has grown into a premier Medical  Institution of  international  repute.  The central prison in Vellore ,  set up in  1830 A.D. is  another  Historically important land mark as some eminent personalities and Freedom Fighters like Thiru. Rajaji, Thiru C.N. Annadurai, Thiru. K. Kamaraj , the former presidents of India Thiru. V.V.Giri, Thiru. R.VenkataRaman had served their prison terms here. The other  note  worthy  monuments are the Mausoleums located in Aruganthampoodi area on the Vellore - Arcot road, where  the  family  members of  Tippu Sultan were  buried and  the  Muthu mandapam on  the banks of river of palar, a memorial  raised by  the Tamil Nadu Government to honor Vikarama Rja Singha , the last  Tamil King who ruled Kandy (Srilanka ) from 1798 to 1815 A.D. He was imprisoned in Vellore fort for 17 years.

THE ROLE OF VELLORE DISTRICT IN THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Vellore District  had  always been  on  the  fore - front in the struggle for freedom. In fact the Sepoy Mutiny of 1806 A.D. that  broke out  inside the Vellore fort against  the British  authority  is considered  to be a prelude to the Great Revolt of 1857, which is often described by some historians as the first war of Independence.

The outstanding  performance of  this district  in contributing to  the Military service is Commendable, as more and  more men have enlisted  themselves to the Military  service, to serve  the  nation with  indomitable sprit and courage. The clock tower  in  the long Bazaar Vellore was  built  in  1920 A.D. a stone inscription  in  the  building reads “Vellore - From this Village 277 men want to the Great war 1914-18,of them 14 gave up their lives “. This is a recorded testimony the Velour and Military prowess of this area.