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Dindigul Fort

Dindigul Fort

heritage site · Tamil Nadu

State
Tamil Nadu
Type
Heritage Site

Dindigul Fort is a hilltop fortress rising about 900 feet above Dindigul town in Tamil Nadu, with a fortification circumference of about 2.75 km enclosing 48 rooms, arsenal depots, stables, and cannon emplacements. It is closely associated with Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore.

Dindigul Fort is known for

Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan strongholdMadurai Nayak-era hill fortressAnglo-Mysore War history900-foot rock climbASI-protected monument

A short history

The fort was built in 1605 by the Madurai Nayak king Muthu Krishnappa Nayakar. In 1742 the Mysore army conquered Dindigul, and in 1755 Hyder Ali was deployed to govern the region. In 1788 Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali's son, was crowned King of Dindigul. In 1790, during the Second Anglo-Mysore War, British forces gained control of the fort. A 1792 treaty saw Tipu formally cede Dindigul to the English. The British strengthened the hill fort with cannons starting in 1798, maintaining military occupation until 1859. [Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dindigul_Fort; Source: dindigul.nic.in/history]

Why Dindigul Fort matters

The fort marks a key strategic point in the Anglo-Mysore Wars and the transition of power from the Madurai Nayaks through Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan to British colonial control.

When to go

October to March

Why visit

An atmospheric Nayak-era rock fort above the town famous for its locks and biryani.

How to reach

Dindigul Railway Station is about 4 km from the fort; Madurai Airport is the nearest airport, about 83 km away.

Dindigul Fort guide & itineraries

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