In this article, we provide comprehensive information about the geography, history, population, and top tourist destinations of Tiruchirappalli. Tiruchirappall is a historic and vibrant city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in India, blending ancient history, religious significance, and modern development.
| About: | Tiruchirapalli District is located along the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu, India. The main town in Tiruchirappalli District is the city of Tiruchirappalli, also known as Trichy. During the British Raj, Tiruchirappalli was known as Trichinopoly, and was a district of the Madras Presidency; it was renamed upon India’s declaration of independence in 1947. As of 2011, The district had a population of 2,722,290 with 1,013 females for every 1,000 males. The city is recognized as one of the most livable and cleanest cities in Tamil Nadu, and it ranks as the fifth safest city for women in India. It is also the fourth largest city and urban agglomeration in the state. Situated 322 kilometers (200 miles) south of Chennai and 374 kilometers (232 miles) north of Kanyakumari, Tiruchirappalli is almost at the geographic center of Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery Delta begins 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) west of the city, where the Kaveri River divides into two, creating the island of Srirangam, which is now part of the Tiruchirappalli City Municipal Corporation. |
| History: | Tiruchirapalli is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Tamil Nadu. Located along the banks of the River Cauvery, it was once the stronghold of the Early Cholas. Ptolemy mentioned it in the 2nd century BC. Uraiyur, which was the capital of the Early Cholas from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, is now a suburb of modern Tiruchirapalli. The Kallanai dam, built by Karikala Cholan, is the oldest dam in the region and spans the River Cauvery. Uraiyur served as the capital for the Early Cholas. During the Sangam period, Uraiyur was referred to as ‘Kozhiyur’ and emerged as a significant business hub. Archaeological excavations in the area highlight the town’s ancient heritage and cultural significance. These findings also indicate a trade relationship between Woraiyur and Rome. The medieval history of Tiruchirapalli begins with the reign of the Pallava king Mahendravarman-I who ruled over South India in the 6th century AD. Mahendravarman laid the foundation of the Rockfort which is regarded as the cultural symbol of the city and is one of the oldest surviving monuments in Tamil Nadu. When the Chola Empire began to decline, Tiruchirapalli was conquered by the Pandyas who ruled from 1216 to 1311 when they were defeated by Malik Kafur. The victorious armies of the Sultanate are believed to have plundered and ravaged the kingdom. Tiruchirapalli was ruled by the Delhi Sultanate and the Madurai Sultanate from 1311 to 1378 when it was annexed by the Vijayanagar Empire. Tiruchirapalli remained a part of the Vijayanagar Empire and its successor, the Madurai Nayak kingdom till 1736. Under the Madurai Nayak kingdom, Tiruchirapalli was an important stronghold in the wars against the Thanjavur Marathas and later, Chanda Sahib. It served as the capital of the kingdom from 1616 to 1634 and from 1665 to 1736. In 1736, Tiruchirapalli was conquered by Chanda Sahib who ruled the kingdom from 1736 to 1740. Tiruchirappalli was administered by the Maratha general Murari Rao from 1741 to 1743, when it was annexed to the Carnatic kingdom. The Carnatic kingdom was annexed by the British in 1801 and the English brought Tiruchirappalli and other areas under their control. Trichinopoly was incorporated into the Madras Presidency the same year, and the district of Trichinopoly was formed, with the city of Trichinopoly (or Tiruchirappalli) as its capital. |
| Geography: | Tiruchirappalli is situated in central south-eastern India, almost at the geographic centre of the state of Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery Delta begins to form 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) west of the city where the river divides into two streams—the Kaveri and the Kollidam—to form the island of Srirangam. By road it is 912 kilometres (567 mi) south of Hyderabad, 322 kilometres (200 mi) south-west of Chennai and 331 kilometres (206 mi) south-east of Bangalore. The topology of Tiruchirappalli is almost flat with an average elevation of 81 metres (266 ft). A few isolated hillocks rise above the surface,[93] the highest of which is the Rockfort; its estimated age of 3,800 million years makes it one of the oldest rocks in the world. Other prominent hillocks include the Golden Rock, Khajamalai, and one each at Uyyakondan Thirumalai and Thiruverumbur. |
| Country : | India |
| State: | Tamil Nadu |
| District: | Tiruchirapalli |
| Language: | Tamil , English |
| Population: | 916,857 (2011) |
| Major Attractions to Visit: | Rockfort Temple Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam) Jambukeswarar Temple Samayapuram Mariamman Temple Vekkali Amman Temple Kallanai Dam (Grand Anicut) St. John’s Church Our Lady of Lourdes Church Puliyancholai Waterfalls Butterfly Park, Srirangam Mukkombu (Upper Anaicut) Pachamalai Hills Anna Science Centre Planetarium Railway Heritage Centre Hazrath Nathar Vali Dargah |
