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Gingee also pronounced, as "Shingee" is 37-km east
of Thiruvannamalai. Gingee is famous for a fort complex dating back to
13th century, located on the 3 different hill summit covering 3-km
boundary area. The Chola Dynasty built Gingee fort. The indomitable
courage and valour of its erstwhile rulers made Father Pinments, a priest
to call the Gingee Fort the "Troy of the East".
History Of The Fort The Gingee has an interesting history from
1383 to 1780, which is full of ups and downs. The Vijayanagar emperors,
Marathas and the Mughals occupied it after the Cholas and it was in the
hands of the French and British rulers also for sometime.
In 1638, Gingee went under control of Bijapur Sultanate from the hold of
the Vijayanagar emperors. Then it went to Maratha hero Shivaji in 1677, to
Mughal in 1690, to French in 1750 and to British in 1762. In Mughal
period, Gingee became the head quarter of Arcot. In 18th century French
occupied Gingee and kept it under occupation for 11 years, many of its
sculptural antics of Gingee were then shifted to Pondicherry by them.
The fort of Gingee is really worth seeing. The historical monuments speak
volumes about the past glory.
A Magnificent Fortress
According to a legend the name Gingee or Senji is derived from "Senji
Amman", a virgin Goddess.
The massive walls of Gingee fort interconnect the 3 inaccessible hills-
Krishnagiri, Chandrayandurg and Rajagiri. The three hills are disposed in
the form of a triangle, while the main wall connecting is 20 meters thick.
The top of the three hills form impregnable citadels, while the inner fort
contains many fortifications and gates.
Attractions Within The Fort
One has to pass through an uneven flight of steps along the rocky hill
track, which may make the visit to the fort a bit difficult. The fort
houses a Gymnasium, audience hall, stable, palace, clock tower, granary,
treasury in Indo-Islamic style, store-house for grains and the Elephants
tank.
Kalyana Mahal
Kalyana Mahal is one of the most attractive ruins in the fort. It was
built in the Indo-Islamic style and consists of a square court, surrounded
by rooms for the ladies of the Governor's household. In the middle of this
court, is a 27 metre high square tower, built of stone and has a puramidal
roof.
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. The 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
Sad-at-Ullam Khan Mosque located at the entrance of the inner fort of
Rajagiri 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.
Vekataramana Temple
Vekataramana Temple is the largest temple in Gingee, which was built by
Muthiah Nayaka in 1550 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.
Just a kilometre away from Gingee there is another fort at Rajagiri, which was founded by Ananda Kon, the Chief of Konar community in 1200 AD. His successor Krishna around 1240 AD fortified the Krishnagiri. The fort of Rajagiri is made of Saffron and black rock.
On the way to the fort, one must take guide from the archaeological office. For visitors it remains open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Air: The nearest airport is at
Chennai, which has
both national and international terminals.
Rail: The nearest railway station is at Tindivanam.
Road: Tourists can access Gingee from Tiruvannamalai, from where
there are buses almost every hour.
Accommodation is available at the small budgeted hotels and lodges at Tiruvannamalai.