THE FORTS OF INDIA Built by titans and lit by the glory of fire, blood and love- the grandest sights in India. The Forts of India, stand as befitting 'monuments' to the pride, courage and chivalry of the rulers and people of India who relentlessly strove against invading armies to preserve their freedom and to keep alive their fait and their culture. VELLORE The Fortress of Vellore is situated about 125 kms. west of Madras. Built in this historical town, the Fort is one of the most perfect specimen of military architecture in the South.

The 'Ethaladurg' or Land Fort was built by Chinna .... Nayak a subordinate Chief under Sada Sivaraya and Sri Ranga Maharaj, the Vijaynagar Kings in the third quarter of the 16th century AD. The Sultan of Bijapur seized Vellore by about the middle of the 17th century. In 1676 AD the Fort was captured by the Marathas who were in turn ousted by Daud Khan of Delhi in 1708 AD. The Fort was under the charge of Dost Ali, Nawab of Carnatic who gifted it in 1710 AD to his son-in-law, whose son Mohammed Ali kept the Fort as a stronghold for nearly 20 years.

In 1760 AD the Fort was occupied by an English garrison, and finally after the fall of Srirangapatnam and the death of Tipu Sultan, the English kept Tipu's sons and daughters in captivity in Vellore Fort. The fortification consists of a main rampart broken at irregular intervals by round towers and rectangular projections. The main walls are built of massive granite stones surrounded by a broad moat fed with water by sub-terranian drains from the Suryagunta tank.

The Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department is happy to issue a set of four stamps on the Forts of India.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India