# Alamparai Fort

- **Country:** India

Alamparai Fort, also known as Alampara, is a historical military installation located in Kadappakkam, Tamil Nadu, India. Situated approximately 50 kilometers from Mamallapuram on land overlooking the Bay of Bengal, this granite structure was constructed during the Mughal era, with specific records citing its establishment around 1735 to 1740. Originally serving as a vital seaport for the Nawabs of Arcot under Dost Ali Khan, the fort featured a significant 100-meter dockyard that facilitated the export of zari cloth, salt, and ghee. It also housed a mint, highlighting its economic importance as a primary trade hub on the Coromandel Coast alongside contemporary ports like Pondicherry and Sadras.

The site holds considerable historical significance due to its involvement in colonial power struggles. In 1750, the fort was granted to the French commander Joseph François Dupleix in recognition of his services to Subedar Muzaffar Jung. However, following the Carnatic Wars, the British defeated the French forces and subsequently captured the installation. The British demolished the fort in 1760 to prevent its future military use by rivals. References in the diaries of Ananda Ranga Pillai further document its role in regional administration and trade during the French colonial period.

Today, Alamparai Fort exists only as ruins and is not open to the general public. The structure is currently under the control of the Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu. Over the centuries, the site has suffered extensive damage, first from its deliberate demolition in the 18th century and later from natural disasters. Notably, the remaining brickwork and historical elements sustained further deterioration during the devastating Indian Ocean earthquake of 2004. Despite its ruined condition, the location remains a testament to the region's complex maritime and colonial history.

![Photo of Alamparai Fort](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Brick_work_of_Alampara_fort_ruins.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamparai_Fort (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)