Brief
About Ariyalur District
Ariyalur district came into existence by bifurcating Perambalur
as per G.O.Ms.No.683 Revenue RA1(1) Department dated 19.11.07. It
is bounded on the North by Cuddalore, South by Thanjavur, East by
Cuddalore and Thanjavur and West by Perambalur and Tiruchirapalli
districts. The new Ariyalur district is functioning from 23.11.2007
Ariyalur district consists of 2 divisions viz.,
Ariyalur and Udayarpalayam, three Taluks viz., Ariyalur, Udayarpalayam
and Sendurai and six blocks.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
DISTRICT
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.
Mohammed Ali annexed the two palayams of Ariyalur
and Udayarpalayam located with troops were in the Ariyalur 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, Mohammed 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 upon fled
to Udayarpalayam. On the 19th January the army marched upon Udayarpalayam.
The Poligar’s troops were defeated and the playams 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 Tiruchirapalli.
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. Perambalur district was divided
into Perambalur and Ariyalur district in the year 2001 and merged
with Perambalur in the year 2002. Then now the district is bifurcated
from Perambalur and .now functioning from 23.11.2007.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
As per 2001 census, the population of Ariyalur is 695524, with
male 346763 and female 348761. Ariyalur District is centrally
located in Tamil Nadu and is 265 K.M. away in southern direction
from Chennai. The District has an area of 1949 Sq.Km.
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.
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.
PILGRIM CENTRES
Vaithiyanatha Swamy Temple at Thirumazhapadi, kaliyuga Varadaraja
Perumal Kovil at Kallankurichi and Siva Temple at Gangaikonda
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 Gandaikonda Cholapuram Siva Tempole 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. The Fossil is said
to have been a national asset according to Geologists.
AGRICULTURE
Sugar cane is grown as a major commercial crop. One private sugar
factory near keelapalur is functioning in the district with a
capacity of crushing 3000 Tonnes per day. One of the main crop
in Ariyalur district is cashew. The pre-dominate soil in the district
is red sanding with scattered packers 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.
TOURIST INTEREST
The great monument at Gangai Konda Cholapuram, the second Pragadeeswar
Temple rears its head nobiy 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.
The Vettakudi Karaivetti tank situated at 22
Kms, East of Ariyalur in Thirumanur Block is a water fefuge for
many migratory birds and over species visit this tank every year
between December to March in large congregation.
