Tamilnadu - Places in Tamilnadu - Cuddalore - History to Cuddalore

History to Cuddalore

In the neighbourhood are the ruins of Fort St David situated on the river Gadilam, which has a stirring history. As a small fort builty a Hindu merchant, it fell into the hands of the Marathas after the capture of Gingee by Sivaji in 1677. Fro them it was purchased by the English in 1690, the purchase including not only the fort but the adjacent towns and villagore, passed into the possession of the English. The villages thus obtained are still spoken of as cannon ball villages.

From 1725 onwards the fortifications were greatly strengthened. In 1746 Fort St. David became the British headquarters for the south ofia, and Dupleix' attack was successfully repulsed. Clive waspointed its governor in 1756; in 1758 the French captured it, but abandoned isufficiently to withstand a British attan 1783, see Battle of Cuddalore (1783). In 1785 it finally passed into British possession.

Europeans started establishing their busiess settlements in Indian coast ever since 17th century. In thestern coast French established their business settlements in Pondichéry and British established their settlements and businy built several forts. Fort St. David was the first fort built by British. Robert Clive, who laid a strong foundation for British rule in Indian subcontinent used St. David Fort as the centre for his military operations.

Fort St. David: Fort St. David was built in 1653 A.D. by Elihu Yale. The fort was strengthened on 1693, 1698, 1702, 1725, 1740 and on 1745.

Until 1758 Cuddalore wa greater of South India (entire Tamil Nadu, parts of present Andra Pradesh, acked by French in 1758. It was after this attack St. David Fort lost its political imporrala and office in Devanampattinam (popularly know as Silver Beach) uses the rubber-stamp with Ft. St. David embossed in it.

Garden House: The present official residence of Cuddalore District Collector was then know as Garden Hous. It was then the residence of Robert Clive. The roof of the Garden House was built without steel and wo. It was built using only band slaked lime. It bears testimony of the later medieval architecture. St. David fort was also built using the same ingredients and techniques.

The large vacannajai Nagar Ground was an esplanade then. British used to have esplanades near their fortresshalf a kilometre from present Vandipalayam. It was named after Henry Brookes who ruled between 1767 and 1769.

Cumming Pet: The area to north of Thriupathiripuliyur is know as Cumming Pet. It was named after William Cumming who ruled the region from 1778. Cumming Pet was once a place meant for washermen. On 1798 Tipu Sultan-The King of Mysore invaded Cumming Pet and the settlemPresent day Cuddalore O.T. was know as Islamabad during the Mughal period. Even today the majority of the people in Cu O.T. follow Islam. Cuddalore O.T. has one o oldest and biggest mosque in South India. The mosque and most of the houses there were built in Persian style. Until 1866 District Collectorate, Cuddalore Municipwere shifted to Manjai Nagar. It was only afteto existence. Still there are several streets and localities named after popular British rulers. Clive street, Wellington street are some to name.

Gadilam Castle: Nawab Umdat-ul-Umara built Gadilam Castle in 18th century. Gadilam Castle was located to the North of Gadilam river. It was built exactly in the place where the present Brindhavan Hoteamed after Francis Cappho was the Captain til He resided in a palan there. British built a prison in the Capper Hills. Freedom fighters like Barathiar and other pn 1717 St. David schs started in Cuddalore O.T. to educate the children of East India Company. In 1886 a college was started in its premises. The college was named after St. Joseph. It is one of the earliest schools in India which follows Western education system.

Roads named after British like Napier Road, Lawrence Road, Imperial Road and streets like Clive street, Wellington street, business establishments like Panpari market and Parry's House remains a reminder of the British rule here.


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