CHINGLEPUT

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'Chingleput' or 'Chengalpattu' is a and a municipality in Kancheepuram district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on the Palar River about 56 km south-southwest of the city of Chennai (Madras). Chingleput is an important railway junction and commercial center. It has a medical school and other colleges affiliated with the University of Madras.

Contents

History

Geography

Demographics

Education

Transport

Tourism

Peculiarities

References

History

Chingleput was formerly a capital of the kings of Vijayanagara, after their defeat by the Muslim Deccan sultanates at Battle of Talikota in 1565. In 1639 a local governor or Nayak, subject to these kings, granted a piece of coastal land to the British East India Company where Fort St George now stands, which became the nucleus of the city of Madras. The fortress at Chingleput, built by the Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century, was of strategic importance, owing to its swampy surroundings and the lake that flanked its side.
Chingleput was taken by the French in 1751, and was retaken in 1752 by Robert Clive, after which it proved of great strategic advantage to the British, especially when Lally failed to capture the fortress in his advance on Madras.
During the wars of the British with Hyder Ali of Mysore it withstood his assault, and afforded a refuge to the nearby residents; in 1780, after the defeat of Colonel W. Baillie, the army of Sir Hector Munro took refuge there. By 1900 the town was noted for its manufacture of pottery, and was a local market center, especially of the rice trade. The surrounding district was home to cotton and silk weaving, indigo dyeing, tanneries, and a cigar factory, and extensive salt manufacturing took place along the coast.
In the past Chingleput was established as a district of the Madras Presidency in 1765. The administrative headquarters were at Saidapet. The area of the district was 3079 sq. mi., and the population was 1,312,122 in 1901. In 1999, the district was split into the districts of Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur.
Chingleput derives its name because of water body that surrounds it containing 'red lillies' or 'Chen'gazhu-neer-pattu.

Geography

Chengalpattu is located at .^[1] It has an average elevation of 36 metres (118 feet). Lake Kolavai is situated near Chingleput.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[2] Chingleput had a population of 62,631. Male to female ratio is very close to 1. The average literacy rate here is 81%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 84% and female literacy of 77%. About 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education

There are number of educational institutes located in Chingleput .

★ Chengalpattu Medical College

★ Ambedkar Law College

★ Government Arts College

★ Vidhya Sagar Women's Arts & Science College

★ St. Joseph's Hr Sec School

★ St. Mary's Hr Sec School

★ St. Mary's Primary School

★ Sri Ramakrishna Mission Hr Sec School

★ St. Columbus's Hr Sec School - 190 Years old

★ SDA Matric Hr Sec School

★ Brindavan Public school

★ Government Girls Higher Secondary School

★ Arignar Anna Govt Boys Higher Secondary School

Transport

Chingleput railway station is a junction for trains from Egmore and Beach down to various places of Tamil Nadu. There is also a railway connection to Arakkonam via Kanchipuram. Two trains run from Kanchipuram via Chingleput to Beach stopping at all stations up to Tambaram. The Chennai Airport is 48 kms from the town. Besides, there is a high amenities for advance computerised resevation of train tickets.
frequent trains between chengleput and beach is available.

Tourism

Today Chengalpattu has developed as a touristic spot for many foreign travellers on their way to Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram. The boat house established by Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) in the Kolavai lake which is situated alongside of the NH 45 highway has now turned it into a place where people can relax. The monsoon rains flooded the gates of the lake in December 2005 due to which the TTDC boat club operation has been stopped. It also serves as a bridge connecting all nearby districts with the renown tourist places like Mahabalipuram, Muttukadu, theme parks on East Coast Road (ECR), etc..

Peculiarities

The first and foremost attraction of anyone who passes through Chengalpet is the Kolavai lake. It is the Second Largest lake in the Kanchipuram District after the Madhuranthagam Lake. Kolavai lake is well known for its perenniality which has no records of going dry in Summers. Its ecstatic location surrounded by mountains fills one's heart with joy.It is very sad that the lake is now being polluted due to the rapid urbanisation of Chengalpet. The ingress of people to the outskirts of Chennai city due to lack of space can be considered the major cause for this.

References

1. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Chengalpattu
2.