Gingee Fort

Gingee Fort, located in Viluppuram district of Tamil Nadu, is one of the most formidable and well-preserved hill forts in South India, often called the "Troy of the East." The fort complex spans three hills Rajagiri, Krishnagiri, and Chandrayandurg each with its own citadel and connected by massive granite walls forming a triangular defensive perimeter.

Originally built by the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, it was expanded and fortified by the Vijayanagar Empire, Gingee Nayaks, Marathas under Shivaji, Mughals, French, and British, reflecting a rich layered history of power struggles.

Architectural highlights include the seven-story Kalyana Mahal (wedding hall) with a pyramid-shaped top, granaries, temples including the Chenjiamman temple, a sacred pond, multiple reservoirs, and robust gateways like the Arcot and Pondicherry gates.

The fort’s water management system is notable for sustaining inhabitants during sieges. Gingee Fort is a popular tourist destination admired for its strategic design, historical significance, and panoramic views of the surrounding Tamil countryside.