Kanchipuram is well known as a temple city for its endless list of ancient temples located everywhere in the town. So this time we wanted to visit a place outside Kanchi which is non-religious, hasn’t been explored much and less frequented by tourists. My search zeroed in on Sadras Fort, a 17th century fort built by Dutch Coramandel. The fort was partially destroyed during a war with British East India Company in 1818. The Britsih captured the fort after that.
Sadras is located at 70Km from Kanchipuram. We started by noon from Kanchi and reached there by 2.00PM. The sun was scorching overhead, indicative of retreating winter. As per the law of Places of Attraction, the amount of street vendors nearby a tourist spot is directly proportional to its popularity. So going by the couple of shops outside, the surrounding looked like that of some mediocre tourist spot. But when we entered the fort I had to reconsider the rule. It’s a beauty of a kind which many people fail to appreciate.
For an eye trained at usual Aryan, Dravidian and British architecture this place is a visual treat. The pair of canons in the entrance welcomes you. When we entered the fort there were no other visitors. We even wondered whether we are allowed at all inside the fort. The security person posted inside welcomed us enthusiastically and he played the role of a guide too. He opened the gate of the cemetery inside and narrated about the tombs in there. The tombs with their artwork and inscriptions were astonishing that I even didn’t care about photographing them and I captured them in my mind. You can find the pictures of tomb from this Wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadras#Gallery
Then he took us to a tunnel behind the cemetery. The short tunnel ended in a hall with collapsed roof. This is the most beautiful part of the fort. Nature just proved us who the real artist is.
Then it was time to explore the rest of the fort. The entire landscape inside makes you feel like you are in some other part of the world. The unique tall dry grass just complimented the scenery.
There was one semi-destroyed hall with floor work made of hexagonal tiles. Though most of its structure is lost the remnants tell us how the architectural style is relevant even today.
The steps on the side of elephant stable leads to an elevated platform, which is believed to be used to climb on elephants.
The posterior wall displays two distinct variations of bricks. We were told by the security/guide that the middle layer is rebuilt by British after the capturing it in 1818. We are not able to verify the facts.
All the time inside the fort we had this sense of creepiness surrounding us. Thanks to the two hatched snake eggs, our human instincts proved to be right, confirming +2 poisonous reptiles roaming in the vicinity.
The tamarind tree at the entrance of the fort is said to be 100 years old. Again fact need to be verified.
Age of Empires/Mythology game players would know how much of a badass were Dutch to have their territory sandwiched between the mighty British territory of Madras and their rival French territory of Pondicherry. Unfortunately they didn’t survive long enough.
The overall landscape of the fort makes for a good thriller movie backdrop or a perfect Counter Strike game map. I visited this place without much expectations and I loved it. So if you are a history maniac you’d love it too.
Nothing is for free so does the service of the security. Please be generous. After all they are doing a commendable job in neatly maintaining the pathways. The work of Archaeological Survey of India should also be appreciated. If you have visited this place or planning to visit, please share your opinion in the comments.
If you want to learn more about this place http://www.aarde.in/sadras/history__monuments
Sadras is located at 70Km from Kanchipuram. We started by noon from Kanchi and reached there by 2.00PM. The sun was scorching overhead, indicative of retreating winter. As per the law of Places of Attraction, the amount of street vendors nearby a tourist spot is directly proportional to its popularity. So going by the couple of shops outside, the surrounding looked like that of some mediocre tourist spot. But when we entered the fort I had to reconsider the rule. It’s a beauty of a kind which many people fail to appreciate.
For an eye trained at usual Aryan, Dravidian and British architecture this place is a visual treat. The pair of canons in the entrance welcomes you. When we entered the fort there were no other visitors. We even wondered whether we are allowed at all inside the fort. The security person posted inside welcomed us enthusiastically and he played the role of a guide too. He opened the gate of the cemetery inside and narrated about the tombs in there. The tombs with their artwork and inscriptions were astonishing that I even didn’t care about photographing them and I captured them in my mind. You can find the pictures of tomb from this Wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadras#Gallery
Then he took us to a tunnel behind the cemetery. The short tunnel ended in a hall with collapsed roof. This is the most beautiful part of the fort. Nature just proved us who the real artist is.
Then it was time to explore the rest of the fort. The entire landscape inside makes you feel like you are in some other part of the world. The unique tall dry grass just complimented the scenery.
These just reminded me of the fields from the film 300.
There was one semi-destroyed hall with floor work made of hexagonal tiles. Though most of its structure is lost the remnants tell us how the architectural style is relevant even today.
Huge Granary located at the left portion of the fort.
The curved domes and arches of the building were impressive.
Elephant Stable located at the right portion of the fort.
The steps on the side of elephant stable leads to an elevated platform, which is believed to be used to climb on elephants.
The posterior wall displays two distinct variations of bricks. We were told by the security/guide that the middle layer is rebuilt by British after the capturing it in 1818. We are not able to verify the facts.
All the time inside the fort we had this sense of creepiness surrounding us. Thanks to the two hatched snake eggs, our human instincts proved to be right, confirming +2 poisonous reptiles roaming in the vicinity.
The tamarind tree at the entrance of the fort is said to be 100 years old. Again fact need to be verified.
Age of Empires/Mythology game players would know how much of a badass were Dutch to have their territory sandwiched between the mighty British territory of Madras and their rival French territory of Pondicherry. Unfortunately they didn’t survive long enough.
The overall landscape of the fort makes for a good thriller movie backdrop or a perfect Counter Strike game map. I visited this place without much expectations and I loved it. So if you are a history maniac you’d love it too.
Nothing is for free so does the service of the security. Please be generous. After all they are doing a commendable job in neatly maintaining the pathways. The work of Archaeological Survey of India should also be appreciated. If you have visited this place or planning to visit, please share your opinion in the comments.
If you want to learn more about this place http://www.aarde.in/sadras/history__monuments
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