Bot at 20:13, 28 October 2022

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox military structure
|name=Alamparai Rock Fort
|partof=[[History of Tamil Nadu]]
|location=Kadappakkam
|coordinates = {{coord|12.2659|80.0101|type:landmark|display=inline}}
|image= [[File:Brick work of Alampara fort ruins.jpg|300px]]
|caption=
|image2=
|caption2=
|map_type=Tamil Nadu
|map_size=250
|type=
|code=
|built= 1735
|builder=
|materials= Granite
|height=
|used=
|demolished=
|condition= Ruins
|open_to_public= No
|controlledby= [[Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu]]
|website= http://www.tnarch.gov.in/default.htm
|garrison=
|current_commander=
|commanders=
|occupants=
|battles=
|events=
}}
The ruins of '''Alamparai Fort''' (also called '''Alampara''') lie near [[Kadappakkam]] in India,<ref>{{cite web |title=Edaikazhinadu and Alamparai Fort – History, Temples and Tourism |url=https://nellaishanmugam.wordpress.com/2020/11/10/edaikazhinadu-and-alamparai-fort-history-temples-and-tourism/}}</ref> a village 50 km from [[Mamallapuram]] on the land overlooking the sea. Constructed in the late 17th century during the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] era, the Alamparai Fort once had a 100-metre long dockyard stretching into the sea, from which [[zari]] cloth, salt, and [[ghee]] were exported. During 1735 AD it was ruled by Nawab Doste Ali Khan. In 1750, for the services rendered by the famous French commander Dupleix to Subedar Muzaphar Jung, the fort was given to the French. When French were defeated by the British, the fort was captured and demolished in 1760 AD. More recently the structure was damaged in the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/07/stories/2005010715140700.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050131185031/http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/07/stories/2005010715140700.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 January 2005|title= Mughal-era fort, Dutch tombs damaged|work= [[The Hindu]]|date= 7 January 2005|accessdate=2013-07-07}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Beauty remains ruins in ECR..jpg|200px|left|thumb|Remains of Alamparai Fort in Bay of Bengal|alt=brick remains of a fort under sea]]
Alamparai was a seaport in historical times.<ref name=cycle>{{cite news|title=Day-trip down history lane|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|work=Metro Plus|date=16 April 2018|last=Moulana|first=Ramanujar|page=4|location=Chennai}}</ref> The place had other names like Idaikazhinadu, Alamparva and Alampuravi. The fort was built during the [[Mughal era]] between 1736 and 1740 AD. The fort was initially under the control of the Nawab of Arcot, Doste Ali Khan, and was later given to the [[French colonial empire|French]]. After the [[Carnatic wars]], when the French lost to [[British Raj|British]], the fort came under the direct control of the British and was demolished in 1760.<ref name="Sadras">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/sadras-musings/article3527885.ece|title= Sadras Musings|work= The Hindu|date= 14 June 2012|accessdate=2013-07-07|last=Parthasarathy|first=Anusha}}</ref><ref name="fragment"/>

Alamparai is mentioned in several places in the diaries of [[Ananda Ranga Pillai]], Dubash to Dupleix in French India. It was the primary port of trade for the Arcot nawabs. They had a mint there, and later, at the request of Dumas, the governor of [[Madras Presidency]], The People who worked in the Mints of Alambarai (it is mentioned as 'Alampuravi') moved to Pondicherry and established a mint with the approval of the [[Nawab of Arcot]]. It was a regular port of call on the [[Coromandel Coast]], having a {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} dockyard. The other contemporary ports were [[Pulicat]], Madras, [[Mylapore]], [[Sadras]] (12 km from Mahabalipuram), Pondicherry, [[Cuddalore]], [[Porto Nova]], [[Tharangambadi]] (Tranquebar), [[Karaikal]], and [[Nagapattinam]]. The fort experienced further damages during the [[Indian Ocean tsunami]] in 2004 and portions of the dilapidated fort remains under the sea.<ref name="Sadras"/><ref name="fragment"/> A team of archaeologists found out coins minted during the rule of Nawabs. Some rare artifacts like the arms and ammunition used by the Nawabs and French were also found in fort.<ref>{{cite web|title=A mint lies behind Fort ruins, Chennai|url=http://www.umcasia.org/images/issues/rujfazrq213pdf.pdf|format=PDF|pages=4–5|publisher=Urban Management Centre and INTACH|date=8 June 2012|accessdate=2013-07-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305052104/http://www.umcasia.org/images/issues/rujfazrq213pdf.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Architecture==
The fort can be reached on driving down the [[East Coast Road]], about {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Chennai]], {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Vedal]] and {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]] (Puducherry). Local fishermen assist tourists in a boating experience around the fort. The fort covers an area of {{convert|15|acre|sqkm|abbr=on}}. The fort is built of bricks and limestone and at its centre there is a mausoleum. There are tall walls around the fort and brick steps lead to the top. The watch tower from the fort provides good view of the surroundings.<ref name="Sadras"/><ref name="fragment"/>
[[File:Standup Paddleboarding near Alamparai Fort.jpg|thumb|251x251px|Standup Paddleboarding near Alamparai Fort]]

==Culture==
There are references to the region in [[Sangam literature]] ''[[Ciṟupāṇāṟṟuppaṭai]]'' as a trade post.<ref name="fragment"/> As of 2011, the fort received an average of 25,000 visitors every year. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) listed the fort as one of twenty lesser known tourist spots in the state. The Corporation listed the fort in the international tourism fair held at [[Berlin]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/15/stories/2011031553780700.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319063322/http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/15/stories/2011031553780700.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 March 2011|title= Megamalai and Alamparai Fort cynosure of all eyes at Berlin fair|work= [[The Hindu]]|date= 7 March 2011|accessdate=2013-07-07|last=N.|first=Anand}}</ref> The fort is pictured in several commercials and cinema. Portions of [[Pithamagan]], a 2003 Tamil film, starring popular actors [[Suriya]] and [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]], was shot in the fort.<ref name="fragment">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/02/14/stories/2004021400010100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040322231923/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/02/14/stories/2004021400010100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 March 2004|title= Fragments of history|work= [[The Hindu]]|date= 14 February 2004|accessdate=2013-07-07|last=Umachandran|first=Shalini}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Alamparai Fort}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040322231923/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/02/14/stories/2004021400010100.htm Alamparai: Fragments of history]

[[Category:Forts in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kanchipuram district]]

Alamparai Fort - Revision history

Bot at 20:13, 28 October 2022