Editing Sadras (section)

==Dutch fort==

[[File:Sadras fort entrance.JPG|thumb|Entrance of Sadras fort]]
Modern Sadras was established as part of [[Dutch Coromandel]] in the seventeenth century, which was even before center for weaving superfine [[muslin]] cloth for export besides pearl and edible oil.<ref name="Ports in Tamil Nadu">{{cite book | title=தமிழக துறைமுகங்கள் | publisher=Anbu Publishers | author=P. Jayakumar | year=2001 | location=[[Thanjavur]]}}</ref> The magnificent [[Sadras Fort]], built for commercial purposes by the Dutch, is a vast compound enclosing a huge granary, stables, and structures used to mount elephants. Unfortunately, only one of these structures survives. The fortress was raided by the British in 1818<ref>{{cite news | title=Sadras cries for attention | date=25 February 2012| work=The Times of India | author=Hussain Kodinhi | location=Chennai | pages=10}}</ref> and came under the control of the [[British East India Company]]. It is now maintained by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] in efforts to contain further dilapidation. In 2003, a major restoration of the damaged fort was carried out leading to many archaeological findings.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.flonnet.com/fl2010/stories/20030523000106500.htm | title=Unravelling a Dutch past | author=T. S. Subramanian Photographs: K. Gajendran | journal=Frontline | date=10 May 2003| volume=20 | issue=10 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221211906/http://flonnet.com/fl2010/stories/20030523000106500.htm | archive-date=21 February 2010 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The first battle between British East India Company and the Dutch started here as [[Battle of Sadras]]. The fort includes a cemetery with many beautifully decorated graves that date to between 1620 and 1769.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article3527885.ece | title=Sadras musings | work=The Times of India | date=14 June 2012| accessdate=25 June 2012 | author=Anusha Parthasarathy}}</ref>
[[File:Sadras fort Coat of Arms4.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[tomb]] inside the fort with [[coat of arms]]]]