Perambalur district General information
Perambalur is an administrative district in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The district headquarters are located at Perambalur. The district occupies an area of 1,752 km² and has a population of 4,93,646 (as of 2001). It is 16.05% urbanised as per the 2001 Census.
Perambalur district is a centrally located inland district of Tamilnadu, spread over 3,69,007 ha, which was trifurcated from the erstwhile composite Tiruchirappalli district and was formed on 1 November 1995. The district is bounded by Cuddalore district in the north, Tiruchirappalli district in the south, Thanjavur in the east and Namakkal and Tiruchirappalli districts in the west. The total geographical area of the district is 3,69,007 ha, and net sown area and gross sown area are 2,16,422 ha and 2,37,136 ha, respectively. The net area under irrigation is 71,624 ha.
HISTORY
In 1741, the Marathas invaded Tiruchirappalli and took Chanda Saheb as captive. Chanda Saheb succeeded in securing freedom in 1748 and soon got involved in famous war for the Nawabs place in the Carnatic against Anwardeen , the Nawab of Arcot and his son Mohammed Ali.
Mohamed Ali annexed the two palayams of Ariyalur and Udayarpalayam located within the present Perambalur District on the grounds of default in payment of Tributes and failure to assist him in quelling the rebellion of Yusuf Khan. In November 1764, Mohamed Ali represented the issue to Madras Council and obtained military assistance on 3rd January 1765. The forces led by Umdat-Ul-Umara and Donald Campbell entered Ariyalur and captured it. The young Poligar together with his followers there up on fled to Udayarpalayam. On the 19th January the army marched upon Udayarpalayam. The Poligar's troops were defeated and the palayams were occupied. The two poligars fled their town and took refuge in Tharangampadi, then a Danish Settlement. The annexation of the palayam gave the Navab un-interrupted possession of all his territories extending Arcot to Tiruchirappalli.
The history followed was a power struggle between Hyder Ali and later Thippu Sultan with the British. After the death of Thippu Sultan the English took the civil and military Administration of the Carnatic in 1801. Thus Tiruchirappalli came in to the hands of the English and the District was formed in 1801. In 1995 Tiruchirappalli was trifurcated and the Perambalur and Karur districts were formed. Thiru . N. Nanda Kishore I.A.S , was the first Collector of the district. Perambalur district was divided into Perambalur and Ariyalur district in the year 2001. Ariyalur was again merged with Perambalur in the year 2002.
PHYSICAL FEATURE
As per 2001 Census, the combined total of Ariyalur and Perambalur is 1189170. The density of population in the district is 322 per Sq.Km . Perambalur District is centrally located in TamilNadu and is 267 K.M away in southern direction from Chennai. The District has an area of 3691 Sq.Km. spread between 10.54’ and 11.30’ degree Northern latitude and 78.40’ and 79.30’ degree of the Eastern longitude.
It is an inland district without coastal line. The District has Vellar River in the North and Kollidam River in the South and it has no well marked natural divisions. The PACHAMALAI hill situated on the North of Perambalur is the most important hill in the district.
FLORA AND FAUNA
The Flora and Fauna of the district are fairly rich and varied. As regards Fauna, big animals like Elephants and Bisons are not found anywhere.
MINERALS AND MINING
The district is fairly rich in mineral deposits. Celeste, Lime Stone, Shale, Sand Stone, Canker and Phosphate nodules occur at various places in the district. A good deal of building stone is quarried in Perambalur , Kunnam and Veppanthattai Taluks.
PILGRIM CENTRES
Madura Kali Amman Temple at Siruvachur , Vaithiyanatha Swamy Temple at Thirumazhapadi , Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal Kovil at Kallakurichi and Siva Temple at Jayankonda Cholapuram are the important holy places for the Hindus. Elakurichi 32 Kms from Ariyalur is famous for the Church built by the famous Catholic Missionary Constantino Joseph Besky popularly known as VEERAMA MUNIVAR. The big Mosque at Labbaikudikadu is famous in its own way . The Jayankonda Cholapuram Siva Temple built by Rajendra Chola son of Raja Raja Chola is almost a miniature of Thanjavur Pragadeeswar Temple.
INDUSTRY
Five major Cement factories in the district reveals the abundant deposit of limestone. The availability of Lignite at Jayankondam and near by places is a gift by Mother Nature . At Sathanur 15 Km from Ariyalur we can see a very rare presence of Stone Tree ( FOSSIL ). The Fossil is said to have been a national asset according to Geologists.
AGRICULTURE
Sugarcane is grown as a major commercial crop. The Public Sector factory Perambalur Sugar Mills at Eraiyur is functioning in the district with a capacity of crushing 3000 Tonnes per Day. The pre-dominate soil in the district is red sanding with scattered packets of black soil . The soil in the district is best suited for raising dry crops. The district has a high means of temperature and low degree of humidity.
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION :
Ariyalur Railway station belongs to Southern Railway which connects Chennai , Madurai , Tuticorin and Thirunelveli . Perambalur is an important road junction on the Chennai – Dindugal National Highways. The District has well knit road system connecting various important centres in the region.
TOURIST PLACE
Ranjankudi is located 17 Kms north of Perambalur . The Fort was built by Jaginthar under Nawab of Carnatic in the 17th century AD. The Fort was the scene of the battle of Valikondah between the English and Mohamed Ali on one side and Chandha Sahib and the French on the other side in 1751 AD. This Fort is under protection of the ASI.
The ancient Arulmigu Ekambareswarar and Thandayudhapani Swamy Temples are situated Chettikulam village was built by King Kulasekara Pandiyan 500 years ago. Thai Poosam festival and Panguni Uthiram festivals are celeberated in a grand manner.
The great monument at Gangai Konda Cholapuram , the second Pragadeeswar Temple rears its head nobly and bespeaks the imperial dignity of the capital that Rajendra ( 1012 – 1044 ) the son of Raja Raja established after his victorious march to North East India up to the River Ganga.
Mathura Kali Amman at Siruvachur is one of the most popular shrine in the district . The presiding deity of the temple is known as Sri. Madura Kali Amman. She is one of the forms of Kali.
The Vettakudi Karaivetti tank situated at 52 Kms. East of Perambalur town in Thirumanur Block near Ariyalur is a water refuge for many migratory birds and over 30 species visit this tank every year between December to March in large congregation.