A team from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which also has the assistance of an expert from International Commission on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), is on the eve of visiting Gingee Fort located in Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu which has been proposed by the central government besides 11 other fortifications which are a part of the Maratha Military Landscapes, for the year 2024-25 UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
The maratha military use of space is the only geographical entity in which the component aim in India, there are 12 of which are positioned in bamboo both have population density and 11 sites are located in maharastra, the gingee fort in villupuram however is solitary world heritage site tag aspirant for the southern part of the country.
The excursion on September 27 is part of the evaluation process and is intended to be a forerunner to ICOMOS expert’s report to UNESCO to determine if the selected monuments can contest for World Heritage Site classification in 2025.
As stated by an official in the State Department of Archaeology, “Development and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage (DRONAH), an inter-disciplinary organisation had prepared the Nomination Dossier and Management Plan for Forms for gingee fort’s inscription as UNESCO world heritage. There are no discrepancies in the documents also referred to as the nomination dossier which have been prepared according to the UNESCO Operational Guidelines for designation of world heritage sites including the overview of the property, reasons for its inscription, current condition of the states park and property, determinants to such property, management and defence strategies, surveillance and record-keeping.”
The same official added, “We are optimistic that this will be a cause for the preparation of a report, which will make us qualify for the designation, because the history of the creation of the site is impressive. Once the structure gets the World Heritage Site tag, Gingee will attract good number of tourists from different quarters of the world.”
History of the fort
Named the ‘Troy of the East’, the fort built on three hillocks-Rajagiri, Krishnagiri and Chandragiri was almost unconquerable and a representation of celebrated history of the state. It had witnessed the elevations and depressions of Empires for many centuries.
Constructed by Ananta Kon of the Konar Dynasty in 1,200 ad, the ownership of the fort changed hands many times. It was in control of numerous empires like the Vijayanagar Nayaks, Marathas, Mughals, Nawabs, French and British.
As per D. Ramesh, an assistant professor of history at Arignar Anna government arts college, Villupuram, “The first fortification was constructed by Ananda Kon in 12th century.” In 1240 his successor built a fortification on the northern hill and named it Krishna-Giri, while other building and structures were erected by succeeding monarchs. Next major works on constructions from inside the fort complex were carried out during the time of Vijayanagara empire.”
“Chhatrapati Shivaji took possession of the fort in 1677.” “It fell into the hands of the Marathas until 1698, when it passed into the hands of the Mughal Empire. It came for the short span of rule of Raja Desingh (Tej Singh) before it was grabbed by Arcot Nawabs in the year 1714. And continued to be with them till the year 1749. The fort was in possession of the French from 1750 to 1770 before the British took control of it,” he said.
The fort complex is spread over 11 acres and comprises of a stepped well, a kalyana Mahal, a durbar hall, a cannon, a clock tower, an armoury, an elephant tank, a stable, a granary, a physical culture hall, the temple of Venkataramana, and the Sadathtullah masjid.
The fortification had two extensive water supply system features, one of which was related to Nayaks and the other to Nawab Period, that even at the very top part of the building was once compatible for engineering.
Aware of these arduous efforts, the Villupuram District Administration has up to this time been undertaking one aspect or the other of the integrated approach including organized heritage walks at the fort under the Archaeological Survey of India to create an in-depth appreciation of the history and the traditional practices of the place.
