User:Avionsuresh/Gingee Nayaks

he Vijayanagara Emperor, Krishnadeva Raya posted Krishnappa Nayaka as his Viceroy who later become the founder of Nayaka line of Gingee. Gingee was plundered and looted by the Muslims of Bijapur by 1674 and this was a deadly blow to the sprawling capital city.

In AD 1677 Chatrapati Shivaji the great Maratha ruler had captured Gingee. The Marathas under Shivaji strengthened the fortress at the expense of the surrounding villages and once again made it impregnable. It remained under the Maratha rule till about AD. 1691, when the generals under the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb captured the Fort.

Another historic building is the mosque of Sadat - Ullah Khan with Persian inscriptions which record that the mosque was built in AD 1717 - 18.

The Venkatramana Temple, which is the largest edifice within the fortified town, was built by Muthyalu Nayaka (AD. 1540 - 1550). It contains a number of Tamil inscriptions. Quite a few monolithic ornamental pillars were taken away from this temple to Pondicherry and set up around the statue of Dupleix, the Governor, during the French occupation of Gingee in AD. 1761.

On the Krishnagiri hill there are also two large granaries, stepped wells, an audience hall, two temples and an unique structure known as Hawa Mahal.

In the recent archaeological excavations, the Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai Circle had unearthed a ruined palace complex with finely polished royal throne and an audience hall. The stepped tank with a unique and innovative fountain system utilizing terracotta pipes would have kept the pleasure house cool even during the hottest of days.

Places inside Rajagiri fort Kalyana Mahal Mohammed Khan Mosque Elephant tank Servants room and Royal Palace Magazine Gymnasium Granery Venugopala Swami Temple

Places atop the Rajagiri fort Balaranganathar Temple Pond and Mandapa Kamalakanni Amman temple Ranganathar Temple Bell tower / Watch tower Cannon Draw Bridge

Places around Rajagiri fort Architecture of Jumma Mosque Temple of Seven Maidens Funeral place of Desing Raja Chakkarai Kulam (Tank) Anjaneyar Temple Prisoners' well Chetty kulam (Tank) Venkataramana Temple Gate way of Pondicherry Sad-Ullah Khan Mosque Gate way of Vellore Temples of Lord shiva and Amman Shrine The Three Hills - The Three Citadels The Gingee Fort complex is situated on three hillocks. In fact all the three hills together constitute a fort complex, yet each hill contains a separate and self contained fort. The first hill, where the main fort is located, is called Rajagiri. Originally it was known as Kamalagiri as well as Anandagiri. The fort here is most impregnable. It is about800 feet (240 m). in height. Its summit is cut off from communication and is surrounded by a deep, natural chasm that is about 10 yards (9.1 m) wide and 20 yards (18 m) deep. 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.

The naturally strong rock on which the fortress is located is further strengthened by the construction of embrasure walls and gateways along all possible shelves and precipitous edges. It forms the principal fortification. Seven gates have to be traversed before reaching the citadel. This citadel contains many important buildings apart from the living quarters of the royalty, like the stables, granaries, and meeting halls for the public, temples, mosques, shrines and pavilions jostling each other.