Ranjankudi Fort

Tamil Nadu, India

---

Ranjankudi Fort is a 15th-century fortress located about 16 kilometers north of Perambalur in Tamil Nadu, India.

It was originally built by the Vijayanagar Nayaka kings and later occupied by the Nawab of Carnatic during the 17th century. The fort has significant historical importance as the site of the Battle of Valikondah in 1751, where British troops supported by Mohammed Ali fought against French forces allied with Chanda Sahib.

The fort is oblong in shape, surrounded by a moat, and contains semicircular bastions and three fortified levels made with cut stone blocks. Within its walls are remnants of a palace, residential quarters, underground chambers, and secret passages. It also features a small water body believed to have been used as a swimming pool by the Nawab.

The central pit was used as a prison for male inmates, while women were confined in separate blocks inside the fort. The architecture reflects a blend of local styles and defensive strategies, making it a valuable cultural and historical site in the region.