Information AboutCuddalore |
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The word Cuddalore literally means "Sea Town" in Tamil . Cuddalore is known for its picturesque Beaches , particularly Silver Beach , and is an emerging Tourism hub. CUDDALORE TOWN There are two large divisions in the town of Cuddalore: the Old Town, and the New Town (Thirupadirippuliyur). The Gedilam River flows through the town and separates the Old Town from Thirupadiripuliyur. The Old Town has been a seaport since ancient times; Cuddalore traded with the Roman Empire approximately 2000 years ago. Archaeological evidence of these ancient trade relationships can be found in the Cuddalore Government Museum . Cuddalore was the first town in Southern India which came under direct European control. The Dutch were the first to conquer it, followed by Portugal , France and later Britain . The British built Fort St David in Cuddalore near Devanampattinam. Cuddalore also has some very well respected Schools , the most popular among them being St. Josephs & St. Mary's. St. David school, founded by Europeans in the 17th century, is one of the oldest surviving schools in India. The town is well-known for its Temples . The most famous of these is the temple of Shiva , one of the three prime deities of Hinduism . The incarnation of Shiva at Cuddalore is called ''Padaleeshwarar''. The temple itself is located in Thiruppadirippuliyur. Chidambaram , a city which is known for dance and temples also, is only 43 km away from Cuddalore. Cuddalore's magnificent beaches are becoming a tourist attraction, especially the well-known Silver Beach . The boat house near the beach is known for its beauty. HISTORY In the neighborhood are the ruins of Fort St David situated on the river Gadilam, which has a stirring history. As a small fort built by a Hindu merchant, it fell into the hands of the Maratha s after the capture of Gingi by Sivaji in 1677. From them it was purchased by the English in 1690, the purchase including not only the fort but the adjacent towns and villages within "ye randome shott of a piece of ordnance." A great gun was fired to different points of the compass and all the country within its range, including the town of Cuddalore, 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 of India, and Dupleix attack was successfully repulsed. Clive was appointed its governor in 1756; in 1758 the French captured it, but abandoned it two years later to Sir Lyre Coote. In 1782 the French captured it again, and restored it sufficiently to withstand a British attack in 1783. In 1785 it finally passed into British possession. Famous people Many popular writers of Tamil Literature , such as Jayakanthan and Pudhumaipithan , were born in Cuddalore. Vethathiri Maharishi , a spiritual and social worker from Tamil Nadu , started to preach to his Disciples from Cuddalore. THE 2004 TSUNAMI AND ITS AFTERMATH and the historically important Cuddalore Port were devastated. Fort St. David survived without damage. Cuddalore, being accessible from major cities like Chennai and Bangalore , received relief supplies relatively early. The management of relief operations in the district was handled by the local authorities and villagers themselves. Some more remote villages became inaccessible due to a bridge breaking apart, leaving rescued villagers very anxious about their homes. REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
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