Thiruchirapalli

Although being managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the lack of basic amenities has led to tourist flow at the spot to only reduce by the year, sources said.

Architectural and historical background

Regarded to be one of the prominent tourist destinations in Perambalur district, Ranjankudi Fort that is believed to have housed Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva and Hanuman, was constructed by Jagridar of the Nawab of Carnatic during the 17th century. This fort was even the focus point during the Battle of Valikondah in 1751, when British troops supported by Mohammed Ali won over the French supported by Chanda Sahib.

Though the battle came to be referred by a nearby village, Valikondah, it was fought in the fort. While the French won the initial battle, the British ended up winning the final battle with the help of local Muslims. According to reports, the fort was also the scene of surrender of French troops under D’Auteuil, which was sent to relieve the garrison at Srirangam, in May 1752. D’Auteuil, who was fended off by the British troops, retreated to Ranjankudi, where the Jagridar took the side of the British and denied entry to the French troops to the upper level of the fort. D’Auteuil surrendered in the fort.

Architecturally, the fort is oblong in shape with semicircular bastions, a moat encircling it and three fortifications at different levels. It has a palace, residence buildings, underground chamber and an underground passage that links the top level with the lower level.

The three fortifications at different levels were built with cut-stone blocks. The lower bastion is the main rampart surrounded by mud wall. The open ground known as Pettai is approached through a flight of steps, which was once a battlefield. The top tier is called Kottai Medu, used as guarding towers by soldiers and housing cannons. The pit in the centre of the fort was used as a prison for male prisoners while female prisoners were jailed in small blocks inside the fort. The small waterbody in the fort is believed to have been used by the Nawab as swimming pool.

Treasure trove taken over by anti-socials

While locals said that cannon balls, old coins and many documents are still preserved in the fort, the monument proclaiming the cultural heritage of the times is demanded to be improved at least with a few basic facilities so that the spot with good potential may turn into a major tourist destination. However, the demands are left unheard, sources said, resulting in the historically significant structure now turning to be a haven for the anti-social elements. This has reportedly further impacted the flow of tourists at the spot for the past few years.

According to historians, the fort has been utilised by the Mughal, Pandiya, Chola and Vijayanagar dynasties. “There were around 11 wells in the fort and all were closed, but we suspect that these wells might have been used for the safe hiding of the weapons,” said Dharmaraj, a local historian. Mentioning there to be more unexplored areas in the fort, he urged the Archaeological Survey of India to explore and dig out the history further.

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