Vellore, located on the plain slopes of the Eastern Ghats, is one of the ancient cities of Tamil Nadu that was a part of the great dynasties of India: the Pallavas, Cholas, Vijaynagar Empire and Rashtrakutas. The city has a total population of 1,86,000, a literacy rate of 86 % and serves as the Administrative Headquarters for the Vellore District. According to the census report of 2011, Vellore district has a total population of 4 million, the literacy rate is almost 80% and 43 percent are in the working age. 34 percent are engaged in the agriculture sector, 8 percent in the household industry and 58 percent in services and industry. In the district, highest employment is provided by the leather industry, agriculture and agricultural products, heavy electrical, explosive manufacturing and engineering firms. Vellore leather accounts for more than 37% of the countrys export of leather and leather-related products. Small and medium industries related to textile weaving, beedi making and matchstick rolling also provide significant employment in the district. Vellore Fort is the most prominent landmark in the city. During British rule, Tipu Sultans family and the last king of Sri Lanka, Vikrama Rajasinha, were held as royal prisoners in the fort. Constructed during the 13th century, the fort houses a Hindu Temple, a Church and a Mosque and is characterized by basements, turrets, ramparts, sally gates and a perennial water supply. It is fortified by double walls made of massive granite blocks laid over each other without using mortar. This fortress was the strongest in the Carnatic wars of the 17th century and it also witnessed the revolt of Indian soldiers during 1857. The famous temples in the city which include the Jalakandeswarar Temple, Srilakshmi Golden Temple, the Wallajapet Dhanvantri Temple and the Ponnai Navagraha Kottai Temple reflect the rich culture and tradition of the city and attract pilgrims and tourists alike.
