|
The huge hill at Dindigul where the Fort stands looks like a
pillow("Dhindu"), if seen from an angle. Hence the place got its
name Dindigul. Madurai Nayak King 'Muthu Krishna Naicker' started
the construction of this Fort in 1605 and the Mannar Thirumalai
Naicker completed the construction between 1623 to 1659.
In 1755 Hyder Ali captured the Fort and it was under the rule of
Tippu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali, from 1784 to 1790. In the year 1790,
the fort came into the hands of British who defeated Tippu Sultan in
the Mysore war.
The fort stands one kilometers from the city's centre. Anyone who
wants to visit the fort will have to trek about 800 rock steps to
reach the fort. The steps are very small that one could trip over
them. Because of this the fort receives only a very less number of
tourists. The fort has very strong walls and was used for the
military operations of the Nayaks, Tippu Sultan and the British.
Today the fort is neglected by the authorities, eventhough, it is
declared as a protected monument. If it is revived and maintained
properly, the fort is sure to attract a lot of tourists.
|
