The fine Sunday started with reading the newspaper. Found my dad staring at the road and mobile for the driver who didn't turn up yet where dad needs to go for a meeting at Gingee. Thought of taking control over the situation and committed my dad that I'll drive for him. After a little hesitation ( the volume of faith which he always has on me ) he accepted. ( No other go at the moment)
Dropped dad at his venue and moved towards Gingee fort. The fort complex is on three hill rocks named as Rajagiri - Krishna giri - Chandragiri. Considering the situations that I am alone, time 11.40 chosen the moderate one Krishna giri.
History of the fort
Looking about the history of this Gingee fort, It was built by the Chola dynasty in 9th century AD, it was later modified by Kurumbar while fighting the Chola and again by the Vijayanagar empire in the 13th century to elevate it to the status of an unbreachable citadel to protect the small town of Gingee. It was also the headquarters of the Gingee Nayaks, during the Nayaka domination in Tamil Nadu. The fort was built as a strategic place of fending off any invading armies. The fort was further strengthened by the Marathas under the leadership of Shivaji in 1677 AD, who recaptured it from the Bijapur sultans who had originally taken control of the fort from the Marathas.
British finally took control in 1761 despite losing it to Hyder Ali for a brief period. Raja Desinghu ruled Chenji an he was one of the famous kings to be known when it came to Chenji.
Structure:
The Gingee Fort complex is on three hillocks. In fact all the three hills together constitute a fort complex, yet each hill contains a separate and self-contained fort.To gain entry into the citadel one had to cross the chasm with the help of a small wooden draw bridge which was drawn only after getting a signal from the sentries on the parapets that a friend was approaching.
Krishnagiri -The second important hillock with an imposing citadel. It is also known as the English Mountain, perhaps because the British residents occupied the fort here, for some time. The Krishnagiri fort is smaller in size and height compared to the Rajagiri fort. A flight of steps of granite stones leads to its top.
After the fort passed into British hands, it did not see any further action.
At present:
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.
Dropped dad at his venue and moved towards Gingee fort. The fort complex is on three hill rocks named as Rajagiri - Krishna giri - Chandragiri. Considering the situations that I am alone, time 11.40 chosen the moderate one Krishna giri.
History of the fort
Looking about the history of this Gingee fort, It was built by the Chola dynasty in 9th century AD, it was later modified by Kurumbar while fighting the Chola and again by the Vijayanagar empire in the 13th century to elevate it to the status of an unbreachable citadel to protect the small town of Gingee. It was also the headquarters of the Gingee Nayaks, during the Nayaka domination in Tamil Nadu. The fort was built as a strategic place of fending off any invading armies. The fort was further strengthened by the Marathas under the leadership of Shivaji in 1677 AD, who recaptured it from the Bijapur sultans who had originally taken control of the fort from the Marathas.
British finally took control in 1761 despite losing it to Hyder Ali for a brief period. Raja Desinghu ruled Chenji an he was one of the famous kings to be known when it came to Chenji.
Structure:
The Gingee Fort complex is on three hillocks. In fact all the three hills together constitute a fort complex, yet each hill contains a separate and self-contained fort.To gain entry into the citadel one had to cross the chasm with the help of a small wooden draw bridge which was drawn only after getting a signal from the sentries on the parapets that a friend was approaching.
Krishnagiri -The second important hillock with an imposing citadel. It is also known as the English Mountain, perhaps because the British residents occupied the fort here, for some time. The Krishnagiri fort is smaller in size and height compared to the Rajagiri fort. A flight of steps of granite stones leads to its top.
After the fort passed into British hands, it did not see any further action.
At present:
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.
