Vandavasi (formerly anglicised as Wandiwash
Wandiwash was the site of a decisive battle in the 18th century Carnatic Wars between France and the British Empire for control over south Asia. The Battle of Wandiwash was a watershed moment in Indian history as it cemented British supremacy in India. On 22 January 1760, a British force led by Eyre Coote defeated a French force led by General Thomas Lally.
Geography and climate
Vandavasi is located on the state highway SH5 that connects
Tindivanam and Arcot. It lies 110 km southwest of state capital
Chennai, 40 km south of the temple city of
Kanchipuram, 80 km northeast of
Thiruvannamalai, 42 km southeast of Arani & 80 km from
Vellore. It is situated at an average elevation of 74 metres (242 feet) above sea level.Vandavasi's climatic condition is similar to that of
Chennai, lying on the
thermal equator and close to the coast, while most of the year the climate is hot and humid.
Demographics
As of the 2011 census, Vandavasi had a population of 74,320 with a sex-ratio of 1,012 females for every 1,000 males, far above the national average of 929 females per 1,000 males.
A total of 3,337 were under the age of six, constituting 1,740 males and 1,597 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 13.54% and 1.31% of the population respectively. The average literacy rate was 77.3%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.
The town had a total of 7326 households. There were a total of 10,553 workers, comprising 152 cultivators, 302 main agricultural labourers, 309 in household industries, 9,093 other workers, 697 marginal workers, 8 marginal cultivators, 27 marginal agricultural labourers, 52 marginal workers in household industries and 610 other marginal workers.
As per the religious census of 2011, Vandavasi's population was 60.86%
Hindu, 34.73%
Muslim, 3.03%
Christians, 1.28%
Jainism, 0.02%
Sikh, and 0%
Buddhist, with 0.08% following other religions and 0% following no religion or not indicating any religious preference.
Places of interest
Vandavasi Fort is an important landmark in Vandavasi, which witnessed the decisive Battle of Wandiwash. The Nayak of Vandavasi, a vassal of the Vijaynagar Empire, was instrumental in helping the British secure a land grant for Chandragiri Fort on which to build the city of
Madras (modern day Chennai).
Arahanthgiri Jain Math is a Jain matha that was established at the ancient Jain site of Tiruvannamalai in August 1998.
Politics
Vandavasi was a Lok Sabha constituency till a delimitation in 2009. It is now part of Vandavasi state assembly constituency and Arani Lok Sabha constituency.
See also
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