| Arcot | |
| — suburb — | |
|
Arcot
in Vellore |
|
| Coordinates | 12°54′N 79°20′E / 12.9°N 79.33°ECoordinates: 12°54′N 79°20′E / 12.9°N 79.33°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District(s) | Vellore |
| Subdistrict(s) | Arcot |
| Chairman | Eswarappan |
| Parliamentary constituency | Arakonam |
| Assembly constituency | Arcot |
| Civic agency | Arcot Municipality |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 164 metres (538 ft) |
Arcot (Tamil: ஆற்kadu) is a locality and part of Vellore city in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Located on the eastern end of the Vellore city on the southern banks of Palar River at , the city straddles a highly strategic trade route between Chennai and Bangalore, between the Mysore Ghat and the Javadi Hills - (Javvadhu malai). Its population in 1991 was 45,205; the surrounding area had a population of 114,760.
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Its name is commonly believed to have been derived from the Tamil words aaru (River) + kaadu (Forest). However, arkkaTu meant 'a forest of fig trees'.[1] Jainism was flourishing in this part of Tamil Land who were otherwise known as Arugar most probably corrupted form of Arhants or the perfected souls. The word Arugar is found in many ancient literary works and places dominant with arugars were related to them viz Arakonam, Arumbakkam, Aruvur, etc. Not far away from present day Arcot (Anglicized form of Aarkaadu)there is a place called Arungundram. Hence Arcot or Aarkaadu would have derived its name from ArugarKaadu.
The town's strategic location has led to it being repeatedly contested and prompted the construction of a formidable fortress. The Nawabdom of the Carnatic was established by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who in 1692 appointed Zulfiqar Ali Khan as the first Nawab of the Carnatic. In 1740, the Maratha forces came down upon Arcot. They attacked the Nawab, Dost Ali in the pass of Damalcherry. In the war that followed, Dost Ali, one of his sons Hasan Ali, and a number of prominent persons lost their lives. This initial success at once enhanced Maratha prestige in the south. From Damalcherry the Marathas proceeded to Arcot. It surrendered to them without much resistance. Chanda Saheb and his son were arrested and sent to Nagpur. In 1751, The English captured the town during the conflict between the United Kingdom and France for control of South India. He successfully held it with only 500 men against a powerful opposing army raised by the Marathas, resisting for 56 days (23 September to 14 November 1751). The enemy army eventually dissolved and its leader, Chanda Shahib, was killed. Mohammed Ali Khan Walajah took over as Nawab, effectively serving as a vassal of the British. His successors soon ran up enormous debts at the hands of English speculators. In 1801, the town was annexed by the British East India Company.
In the 20th century, Arcot declined in importance and was incorporated into Vellore District. Arcot has the tomb of famous 18th century Sufi Saint - Tipu Mastan Aulia. The story goes that from the blessings of Tipu Mastan Aulia, Hyder Ali had a son,(Tippu Sultan-Mysore king) whom he appropriately named after the saint.
In kaspa Sri Vaikunda Varadharaja Perumal Temple is suituated. In that temple Perumal statue posture is different from others perumal statue. Here perumal is sitting center with SriDevi and Pudevi. This type of posture of Lord Perumal is only present in this temple. More over the three Statues are designed using a Single Stone. This temple has been built under the Pallava era.
Arcot is the principal market for the surrounding agricultural area. It also has a viable local weaving industry and ground nut oil industry.
1. Gangadharar Eswaran Temple
2. Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple (around 1000 years old)
3. Sri Gangai Amman Temple (Seetharamaiyer street)
4. Sri Sundaramoorthi Vinayagar Temple (Radha Krishnan street)
5. Sri kailasanathar kamatchiamman Temple (Chetti Theru)
6. Sri Maha Ganapathi Temple famous for ganapathi festival(Shashannan street)
7. Sri Kasi viswanather Temple (Kaspa)
8. Nagamman Koil
9. Anjaneyar Temple ( Next to Library )
10. Pillayar Koil (Thoppukana)
11. Green Mosque
12. Pearl Mosque
13. St Antony's Church
14. CSI Church (Kalavai Road)
15. Sri Vaikunda Varadharaja Perumal Temple (Kaspa)
16.Muthu mari amman koil(chairman munusami st,annampalayam)
The people who lived in the Arcot region especially in and near the temple town of Tiruvannamalai, belonged to a clan called the Arcots. The Nawabs fought with and ruled over them for a long period. With the establishment of the Danish Missionary Society, many of these Arcots converted Christians. The Danish Missionary Society (DMS, currently Dan Mission) established many schools and hospitals. The first missionary of the DMS was a German Rev. C.C.E. Ochs. He started his first Mission station, Bethanien, at Melpattambakkam in South Arcot in 1861. Now all its activities have been transferred to the nearby town Nellikuppam.
The second mission station of DMS was opened at Tirukkoyilur in 1869 by Rev. P. Andersen and was called "Siloam". Siloam church was consecrated on the 10th of October, 1886 and on the same day the first Indian pastors were ordained and more than 30 persons were baptized. A week later a church was consecrated in an outstation, Sengalmedu. The beautiful church in Pop ham's Broadway in Madras was built in the year 1892.
Saron, a third mission station of DMS, was opened in the year 1882 and situated just outside the town Tiruvannamalai. In 1898 a mission station was built in the town. From 1905 it was called "Carmel." The fourth mission station in the Arcot District, "Bethesda," in Kallakurichi was built in 1893 by Rev. A. Larsen. Later DMS started mission stations at Panruti, Vriddhachalam, Devanampatnam, Darisanapuram, and Servaroj Hills, etc. In the year 1913 a church constitution was inaugurated. This church is serving the Tamil-speaking population in the districts of South and North Arcot, Tamil Nadu.
Arcot is located at .[2] It has an average elevation of 164 metres (538 ft).
As of 2001[update] India census,[3] Arcot had a population of 50,267. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%.
Places of interests in and around Arcot:
1.Ameen Beran Darga (Near to the Bus stand)
2.Delhi Gate 18th Century Architecture (Built by Robert Clive for his victory)
3.Raja Rani pond (Build by Nawabs)
4.Green Mosque
5.Pancha Pandavar Mountain
6.Bear hills
7.Natham hills
8.Ratnagiri Temple
9. Palar Dam
10. Tipu aulliya Darga at Bazzar in Arcot. He is the sufi saint who lived in Hyder Ali period at Arcot and he is the great advisor and well-wisher of Tipu Sultan.
11. Thimiri Murugan Temple
12.Arcot Government Museum
People over here follow the traditional Tamil culture. The common language of communication is Tamil, but English is widely understood by the locals.
The primary source of income is agriculture and small scale industries. A lot of people in Arcot are employed with Industries in SIPCOT (RANIPET), a large Industrial Park.
The primary entertainment for people are movie theatres and temples. If you are fond of shopping, you can visit Vellore (District Headquarters) which is 21 km. away. Frequent bus services are available by both government and private operators.
The main mode of transport is by bus since it is economical, and well connected by road. A national highway and two state highways pass through Arcot.
There are frequent buses to almost all parts of Tamil Nadu. Buses depart every 15 minutes from Arcot to Chennai and there are also buses to Hosur, Bangalore, Tirupathi, Pondicherry (Puducherry) etc.
There are lot of private bus operators as well, who provide services on local and short-distance routes. The nearest railway station to Arcot is Walaja Road, which is around 7 km from Arcot.
Mayana Kollai is celebrated here. People paint themselves and appear as gods having goat flesh in their mouths and drumsticks in their hands. They walk over the bazaar street towards the burial ground. Eassayanoor Valavanoor
Arcot (State Assembly Constituency) is part of Arakkonam (Lok Sabha constituency).[4]