Vaniyambadi
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2013) |
Vaniyambadi | |
|---|---|
Municipal Town | |
| Vaniyambadi | |
 View of Palar river as seen from the Great Bridge of Vaniyambadi | |
| Nickname(s): Biryani Palace, Leather Hub | |
  Vaniyambadi Location in Tamil Nadu, India | |
| Coordinates: 12°41′N 78°37′E / 12.68°N 78.62°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Tirupattur |
| First formed | August 21, 1885 |
| Named for | Goddess Saraswathi |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality (Selection Grade) |
| • Body | Vaniyambadi Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.53 km2 (3.68 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 354 m (1,161 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 195,061 |
| • Density | 9,975/km2 (25,840/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Vaniyambadian |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 635751 |
| Telephone code | 91 - 4174 |
| Vehicle registration | TN 83 (RTO, Vaniyambadi) |
| Sex ratio | 1023 ♂/♀ |
Vaniyambadi is a major town in the northern part of Tamil Nadu, India and the headquarter for the Vaniyambadi Revenue district comprising Vaniyambadi and Ambur. It is located about 200 km from Chennai. The Vaniyambadi Municipality was formed by the G.O. MS. No. 421 Local & Municipality Dept. dated 21.08.1885 by the British Government in April 1886.[1] In 1996 this Municipality was upgraded to Grade II Municipality by G.O. MS. NO. 118 Rural Development Local Administration Dept. dated 01.05.1996. In 1998 this Municipality was upgraded to 1st Grade.
It is one of the hubs of Leather exports in Tamil Nadu. It is also known for its world-famous, delicious and mouth-watering Biryani. The prestigious century old Hindu Higher Secondary School (Estd. 1914), Islamiah Boys Higher Secondary School, Islamiah Girls Higher Secondary School are located here along with other Arts college and professional degree colleges. The famous hill station Yelagiri is approximately 20 km away from town. Another hill station leading way through Andhra Pradesh is a short way to Kolar Gold Fields and Karnataka.
Etymology
Vaniyambadi in Tamil Nadu derives its name and identity from mythological lore. Vaniyambadi (Vani + yam + padi) is derived from Vani the name of the Hindu Goddess Saraswati, and Padi, "to sing". Legend has it that Hindu goddess Saraswati sang on the banks of the Palar River for God Vishnu and God Shiva here, and hence it was named Vaniyambadi. Indeed, temples dedicated to Sundara Varadaraja Perumal (Vishnu) and Athitheeswarar (Shiva) dot both banks of the fast-flowing Palar River. Vaniyambadi, today, is surrounded by lovely hills with many a scenic hill station positioned on them, green farmlands crisscrossed by numerous water channels and a sleepy little town amidst it all.
History
Vaniyambadi is a well known place in the history of fights against the British. Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan have been known to have camped in Vaniyambadi during their battles against the British empire, also Vaniyambadi battle is first for Tippu at the age of 17 when his Father was ill .[2]
Siege of Vaniyambadi
The Mysorean army set off on its fresh round of campaigning in the beginning of November 1767. According to De la Tour,[3] it was two days after Haidar's mother had departed with her retinue. The main army marched towards Vaniyambadi while another detachment had been sent earlier in the direction of Tirupattur which had again fallen into British hands. The scouting parties of cavalry and infantry had reported an easy approach to Vaniyambadi along the course of the Palar river which flowed past the town and the route was covered with thick undergrowth and trees. Also there was no need of digging trenches for the artillery due to there being a ridge which could serve as a position for the cannons. The garrison there consisted of 30 Europeans with 1000 sepoys, mostly irregulars. The Mysorean army reached the outskirts of the fort at dusk on November 6 and set up a battery of 12 cannons on the ridge at night. The European commander of the artillery received a light wound in the process. Haidar ordered him to rest in his tent and took over the personal command of the battery. Throughout the night he sat under a tree nearby and directed the setting up of the artillery unmindful of the firing by the British who had now noticed his approach. Though this is not mentioned in other sources it is certainly characteristic of Haidar's courage and he would repeat it during the siege of Ambur. He left when the commander returned. The cannons commenced firing soon after dawn on November 7 and soon the British garrison in Vaniyambadi capitulated, probably due to its inadequate strength though no breach had been made.
Geography
Vaniyambadi is located at 12.6872° N, 78.6303° E.[4] It has an average elevation of 354 metres (1,161 ft) and lies on the banks of the Palar river. Yelagiri and Javadi Hills are located to the south of the town.[5] By road Vaniyambadi is surrounded by Ambur and Tirupathur which are 15 km, 24 km away respectively.
Demographics
According to 2011 census, Vaniyambadi had a population of 195,061 with a sex-ratio of 1,023 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[6] A total of 12,013 were under the age of six, constituting 6,121 males and 5,892 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 15.15% and 0.09% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the town was 85.13%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[6] The town had a total of 20559 households. There were a total of 31,013 workers, comprising 94 cultivators, 218 main agricultural labourers, 800 in house hold industries, 26,529 other workers, 3,372 marginal workers, 11 marginal cultivators, 100 marginal agricultural labourers, 202 marginal workers in household industries and 3,059 other marginal workers.[7] It consists of 36 wards.
Culture
The major population comprises people following Hindu and Islam. Both the Hindus and Muslims live in harmony together. Tamil is majority spoken language where Urdu language spoken by Muslims. In addition to this, Telugu is also prevalent due to the proximity of the neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh. Leather tanning is a major industry of the town and leather garments, and making leather shoes are one of the economy of the town even today Vaniyambadi leathers have separate value in global leather market. Agriculture, especially coconut plantations, is the other major source of livelihood.
Places of interest
Asia's second largest telescope, Vainu Bappu Observatory of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics is situated at Kavalur near Vaniyambadi. Perhaps the Sundara Varadaraja Perumal and Athitheeswarar temples are the main draws of this town. The town also has a number of mosques built in the medieval as well as modern Islamic architectural styles. The dargah of Janab Masthan Ali Aulia Saheb draws devotees from all faiths, while the Avanghali temple nearby proclaims this town's great record in harmonious co-existence of different religions. Vaniyambadi is famous for its various local sweets and biryani.
Devotees to the temples here often extend their stay to visit one of the two hill stations that lie within half-hour drives from the town center.[citation needed] Yelagiri, which is one such hilltop resort set amidst a quarter of mountains. The structure of tribal houses and the locals’ small-scale industries, such as honey gathering and weaving, attract tourists to this hill station.
Economy
Vaniyambadi plays a major role in the field of leather industry. The main core business of this town is leather tanning and manufacturing of leather goods such as Garments, Gloves and Shoes. Over several decades, Vaniyambadi has contributed to millions of dollars for the Indian economy by exporting leather garments, leather articles and other chemical effluents all over the world. Vaniyambadi has shown better economy for past many decades. There are more than around 150 tanneries and 2 effluent water treating plants.
Transport
Vaniyambadi is well connected by road and rail to major cities of India. The town is separated by a distance with Bangalore [144 km] , Chennai [199 km], Vellore [64 km] and Salem [139 km]. The town lies on the highway (NH 48) of the Bangalore-Chennai section which is part of the Golden Quadrilateral. A state highway connects the town to Tirupattur on the Vaniyambai-Salem(SH-18), Vaniyambadi-Gudiyattam via Gadambur(SH-130) and Polur-Vaniyambadi via Jamunamarathur, Alangayam(SH-215). The town also has a railway station and is also close to Jolarpet Railway Junction, where most of the long haul trains stop. The nearest domestic Airport is Vellore Airport and nearest International Airport is Bangalore International Airport.
Higher Educational Institutions
The town is the home for some of the prestigious higher educational institutions. Students from the town as well as from the surroundings of Ambur, Tirupattur, Jolarpet and Alangayam travel here to pursue their degree. They are listed below:
Arts & Science Colleges
- Islamiah Men's College (Autonomous)[8]
- Islamiah Women's College (Autonomous)[8]
- Marudhar Kesari Jain College for Women[9]
- Imayam Arts and Science College[10]
Engineering and Polytechnic Institutions
- Priyadarshini Engineering College[11]
- Priyadarshini Polytechnic College[12]
- Vaani Polytechnic College[13]
References
- ^ "Vaniyambadi Municipality". Government of Tamil Nadu. 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Hasan, Mohibbul (2005). History of Tipu Sultan. Aakar Books. ISBN 978-81-87879-57-2.
- ^ "THE OPENING PHASE OF THE WAR: THE MARATHAS, THE NIZAM AND THE MADRAS ARMY ATTACK MYSORE" (PDF). inflibnet.ac.in.[unreliable source?]
- ^ "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Vaniyambadi".
- ^ "About Vaniyambadi". Vaniyambadi Municipality. 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Census Info 2011 Final population totals". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ "Census Info 2011 Final population totals - Vaniyambadi". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Islamiah College (Autonomous) - Vaniyambadi, 100 years of education excellence". www.islamiahcollege.edu.in. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ^ "Welcome to Marudhar Kesari Jain College for Women". www.mkjc.in. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ^ "Imayam Arts & Science College". imayaminstitutions.org. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ^ "PEC". priyadarshini.net.in. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ^ "Priyadarshini Polytechnic College". www.priyadarshinipolytechnic.com. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ^ "Vaani College of Education". vaanieducation.org. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
