CHINGLEPUT

chingleput, or chengalpat, a town and district of british india, in the madras presidency. the town, situated 36 m. by rail from madras, had a population in 1901 of 10,551. with chandragiri in north arcot, chingleput was once the capital of the vijayanagar kings, after their overthrow by the mussulmans at talikota in 1565. in 1639 a chief, subject to these kings, granted to the east india company the land on which fort st george now stands. the fort built by the vijayanagar kings in the 16th century was of strategic importance, owing to its swampy surroundings and the lake that flanked its side. it was taken by the french in 1751, and was retaken in 1752 by clive, after which it proved invaluable to the british, especially when lally in his advance on madras left it unreduced in his rear. during the wars of the british with hyder ali it withstood his power, and afforded a refuge to the natives; and in 1780, after the defeat of colonel w. baillie, the army of sir hector munro here found refuge. the town is noted for its manufacture of pottery, and carries on a trade in rice. the district of chingleput surrounds the city of madras, stretching along the coast for about 115 m. the administrative headquarters are at saidapet. area, 3079 sq. m. pop. (1901) 1,312,122, showing an increase of 9% in the decade. salt is extensively manufactured all along the coast. cotton and silk weaving is also largely carried on, and there are numerous indigo vats, tanneries and an english cigar factory.