Editing Cuddalore

{{About||its namesake district|Cuddalore district}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
{{Infobox settlement|
| name               = Cuddalore
| other_name         = 
| nickname           = Sugar Bowl of Tamil Nadu
| settlement_type    = City
| image_skyline      = Early morning in cuddalore, india.jpg
| image_alt          = A pyramidal temple tower with sky in the background
| image_caption      = 
| pushpin_map        = India#India Tamil Nadu
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in India##Location in Tamil Nadu, India
| coordinates        = {{coord|11.75|N|79.75|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = India
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Cuddalore district|Cuddalore]]
| subdivision_type3  = Region
| subdivision_name3  = [[Tondai Nadu]]

 <!-- Established -->| established_date =
| named_for          = <!-- Sugar Bowl of Tamil Nadu -->
| government_type    = Municipal Corporation
| governing_body     = Cuddalore City Municipal Corporation
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_rank          = 
| area_total_km2     = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 1
| population_total   = 308,781
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_rank    = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = Cuddalorean
| population_footnotes = 
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[English language|English]]
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code        = 607001-06 / 607401-02
| area_code_type     = Telephone code
| area_code          = 04142 / 0413(some areas)
| registration_plate = TN-31
| website            = https://cuddalore.nic.in/
| official_name      = 
}}

'''Cuddalore''', also spelt as '''Kadalur'''{{refn|group=note|''Cuddalore'' is the [[British English]] spelling, and ''Kaḍalūr'' is the [[ISO 15919|romanized]] spelling from [[Tamil script]].}} ({{IPAc-en|audio=Cuddalore.ogg|k|ʌ|d|ə|ˈ|l|ɔər}}), is a heavy industries hub and a port city, and headquarters of the [[Cuddalore District]] in the [[India]]n state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Situated south of [[Chennai]], Cuddalore was an important city and port during the [[British Raj]].

While the early history of Cuddalore remains unclear, the city first rose to prominence during the [[Pallavas]]' and [[Medieval Cholas|Medieval Cholas' reign]]. After the fall of the Cholas, the town was ruled by various dynasties like [[Pandyas]], [[Vijayanagar Empire]], [[Madurai Nayaks]], [[Thanjavur Nayaks]], [[Thanjavur Marathi people|Thanjavur Marathas]], [[Tipu Sultan]], French and the [[British Empire]]. Cuddalore was the scene of [[Seven Years' War|the Seven Years' War]] and the [[Battle of Cuddalore (1758)|Battle of Cuddalore]] in 1758 between the French and British. It has been a part of independent India since 1947. During the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]], and the subsequent tsunamis generated, Cuddalore was one of the affected towns, with 572 casualties.

Apart from fishing and port-related industries, Cuddalore houses chemical, pharmacological and energy industries in [[SIPCOT]], an industrial estate set up by the [[Government of Tamil Nadu|state government]]. The city is administered by municipal corporation covering 101.6&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> . It had a population of 308,781 in 2011. Cuddalore is a part of the [[Cuddalore (State Assembly Constituency)|Cuddalore legislative assembly constituency]], a part of the [[Cuddalore (Lok Sabha constituency)|Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency]]. There are 25 schools, two arts and science colleges and two engineering colleges in the city. There is one government hospital, six municipal maternity homes, and 42 other private hospitals that take care of the citizens' healthcare needs. Roadways are the primary means of transportation, while the town also has rail connectivity. The nearest airport is [[Chennai International Airport]], located 200&nbsp;km (120&nbsp;mi) away from the city, and another local airport is located in the district at [[Neyveli]] township is [[Neyveli Airport]]. The nearest seaport is Cuddalore Port where it handles small cargo ships, and the construction of port entry is underway. The closest major seaport is [[Karaikal port]], located 100&nbsp;km (62&nbsp;mi) away from the town.  Cuddalore is famous for educational institutions and medical establishments.

==Etymology==
Before the English took control, Cuddalore (anglicised) was called ''கூடலூர்'', ''Kūṭalūr'' meaning confluence in [[Tamil language|Tamil]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hunter |first1=William Wilson |title=The Imperial Gazetteer Of India Vol 4 |date=1885 |publisher=Trübner & Co. |location=London |page=45 |edition=2 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.91347/page/n53/mode/2up}}</ref> It is situated on the backwater formed by the confluent estuaries of the rivers viz.,
[[Ponnaiyar River|Ponnaiyar]] (South Pennar river flowing through [[Karnataka]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]), [[Gadilam River|Kedilam]], [[Uppanar River|Uppanar]] and [[Paravanaru River|Paravanar]]. The Cuddalore district historically consisted of Chola Nadu and [[Nadu Naadu]]. The name ''Nadu Naadu'' meaning middle country may originate from its location between Chola Nadu and ''[[Tondaimandalam]]''; or between the Pallavas and the Cholas; or between central territories and the ocean.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cuddalore.nic.in/about-district/|title = About District &#124; Cuddalore District, Government of Tamilnadu &#124; Sugar bowl of Tamil Nadu &#124; India}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:SiegeOfCuddalore1783.jpg|200px|left|thumb|The [[siege of Cuddalore]] in 1783|alt=an art depicting a war between two horse troops]]
From ancient times the old town has been a seaport. For two centuries, Cuddalore was subject to several [[Imperialism|foreign powers]] including the [[Dutch Empire|Netherlands]], [[Portuguese Empire|Portugal]], [[French colonial empire|France]], and the [[British Empire|British]]. Until 1758 Cuddalore was the capital to the South Indian territories which were under British control. Britain ruled a more significant part of South India (entire Tamil Nadu, parts of present [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Kerala]] and [[Karnataka]]) from this fort (St. David).

In the early 17th century, the Dutch obtained permission from the ruler of Cuddalore to build a fort there, but political pressure from their Portuguese rivals forced them to abandon it.

Later, the French and English came to Cuddalore for trade and business. The French established a settlement {{convert|16|km|mi|0}} up the coast at [[Pondicherry district|Pondicherry]] in 1674, followed in 1690 by [[Fort St. David|Fort St. David's British colony]] at Cuddalore.

During the 18th century, various wars between the European powers spilt over to their colonial empires, and their allies, including those in the Indian subcontinent. During this period the French and British [[Battle of Cuddalore (disambiguation)|fought several times]] in the area.

In 1746, during [[First Carnatic War]], part of the [[War of the Austrian Succession|Austrian Succession War]], French forces [[Siege of Cuddalore (1746)|besieged the British]] at Fort St. David for several months before being driven off in 1747.

In 1758, during the [[Seven Years' War]], the French took the fort, and there was an inconclusive naval action, the [[Battle of Cuddalore (1758)|Battle of Cuddalore]], off the coast. The fort was later abandoned, in 1760, when the British attacked Pondicherry.

In 1782, during the [[Second Anglo-Mysore War]], the French again took Cuddalore at the time of the [[American War of Independence]] and were [[Siege of Cuddalore|besieged there in 1783]] by the British. During the siege French and British naval forces again [[Battle of Cuddalore (1783)|clashed off the Cuddalore coast]]. The siege failed, but the fort was returned to the British in 1795. There were [[Pierre André de Suffren#Campaign against Sir Edward Hughes|five different naval actions off the coast]] during this period, all of which were indecisive.<ref>[[#Mohandoss|Jaques 2007]], p. 275</ref>

Some Cuddalore streets retain their British names, such as Clive Street, Wellington Street, Sloper Street, Canning Street, [[Rope Street]] (Rope Street, Wellington Street, Sloper Street and Canning Street jointly known as [[Salangukara Village]]), Lawrence Road and Imperial Road. The [[Cuddalore Central Prison]], opened in 1865, is a historically significant landmark. [[Subramania Bharati]] and other political leaders served prison terms there.

[[Tsunami]] waves that followed the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]] near [[Sumatra]] hit India's eastern coast on 26 December 2004 at 8:32&nbsp;a.m. (IST), resulting in 572 casualties. Several fishing hamlets disappeared, while [[Silver Beach (India)|Silver Beach]] and the historically significant [[Cuddalore Port]] was devastated. [[Fort St. David]] survived without damage. On 30 December 2011, [[Cyclone Thane]] caused widespread damage to crops and buildings.

==Geography==
Cuddalore is located at &nbsp;11°45′N 79°45′E  /  11.75°N 79.75°E  / 11.75; 79.75. It has an average elevation of 6&nbsp;m (20&nbsp;ft). The land is completely flat with large black and alluvial soil inland and coarse sand near the seashore. The sandstone deposits in the town are popular. The Pennayar River runs north of the town, while Gadilam River runs across it. Cuddalore is situated at 200&nbsp;km (120&nbsp;mi) from the state capital [[Chennai]] and 18&nbsp;km (11&nbsp;mi) from [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]], the neighbouring union territory.<ref name="Airport information">{{cite web|title=Nearest airports|url=http://www.closestairportto.com/city/india/cuddalore/|publisher=closestairportto.com|access-date = 9 January 2016}}</ref>

== Geology ==
The Cuddalore Formation of the Cauvery Basin received siliciclastic detritus from inland areas of the Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT). It represented continental–fluvial sedimentation in the eastern continental margin of South India during the Miocene. Indian Summer Monsoon was thought to be initiated in the early Miocene and intensified during the middle Miocene causing major climatic shifts in the Indian subcontinent. In the present work, detailed mineralogical and geochemical studies on the siliciclastic Cuddalore Formation have been carried out to understand the provenance and paleoclimatic conditions during the Miocene. The paleocurrent direction, textural immaturity and framework detrital modes of sandstones suggest rapid uplift of basement and sediment source from nearby Madras Block of SGT. Various diagnostic immobile trace element ratios such as Th/Sc, Co/Th, La/Sc, La/Co suggest a tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite–charnockite provenance, and somewhat more felsic composition of source area compared to the present upper continental crust (UCC).<ref>[https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jop.2021.11.006]</ref>

===Climate===
Cuddalore experiences a [[tropical wet and dry climate]] (''As'') under the [[Köppen climate classification]]. Cuddalore witnesses heavy rainfall during the North-East monsoon. The weather is pleasant from December to February in Cuddalore, with a climate full of warm days and cool nights. The onset of summer is from March, with the mercury reaching its peak by the end of May and June. The average temperatures range from 37&nbsp;°C (99&nbsp;°F) in January to 22.5&nbsp;°C (72.5&nbsp;°F) in May and June. Summer rains are sparse and the first monsoon, the [[South-west monsoon|South-West monsoon]], sets in June and continues till September. [[Northeast monsoon|North-East monsoon]] sets in October and continues till January. The rainfall during the South-West monsoon period is much lower than that of North-East monsoon. The average rainfall is 1,400&nbsp;mm (55&nbsp;in), most of which is contributed by the North-East monsoon.<ref name="about"/> The highest 24-hour rainfall recorded in Cuddalore was 570&nbsp;mm on 18 May 1943.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/28/stories/2008112854260400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202174137/http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/28/stories/2008112854260400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2008|location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=Rain-related death toll rises to 51|date=28 November 2008}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Cuddalore (1991–2020, extremes 1901–2020)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 33.4
| Feb record high C = 36.1
| Mar record high C = 38.9
| Apr record high C = 42.2
| May record high C = 43.3
| Jun record high C = 42.8
| Jul record high C = 40.7
| Aug record high C = 40.0
| Sep record high C = 39.3
| Oct record high C = 38.9
| Nov record high C = 35.0
| Dec record high C = 35.0
| year record high C = 43.3
| Jan high C = 29.7
| Feb high C = 31.0
| Mar high C = 32.7
| Apr high C = 34.5
| May high C = 36.9
| Jun high C = 37.0
| Jul high C = 35.9
| Aug high C = 35.1
| Sep high C = 34.2
| Oct high C = 32.2
| Nov high C = 30.0
| Dec high C = 29.1
| year high C = 33.2
|Jan mean C = 25.2
|Feb mean C = 26.3
|Mar mean C = 28.1
|Apr mean C = 30.2
|May mean C = 31.4
|Jun mean C = 31.2
|Jul mean C = 30.4
|Aug mean C = 29.8
|Sep mean C = 29.3
|Oct mean C = 28.0
|Nov mean C = 26.5
|Dec mean C = 25.4
|year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 20.8
| Feb low C = 21.5
| Mar low C = 23.3
| Apr low C = 25.9
| May low C = 26.9
| Jun low C = 26.5
| Jul low C = 25.8
| Aug low C = 25.4
| Sep low C = 25.2
| Oct low C = 24.5
| Nov low C = 23.1
| Dec low C = 21.7
| year low C = 24.2
| Jan record low C = 13.3
| Feb record low C = 14.3
| Mar record low C = 16.1
| Apr record low C = 19.4
| May record low C = 20.3
| Jun record low C = 20.7
| Jul record low C = 18.9
| Aug record low C = 20.6
| Sep record low C = 19.2
| Oct record low C = 18.9
| Nov record low C = 16.7
| Dec record low C = 11.1
| year record low C = 11.1
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 26.2
| Feb rain mm = 13.6
| Mar rain mm = 15.1
| Apr rain mm = 19.8
| May rain mm = 49.8
| Jun rain mm = 53.9
| Jul rain mm = 62.6
| Aug rain mm = 118.2
| Sep rain mm = 112.7
| Oct rain mm = 272.3
| Nov rain mm = 389.5
| Dec rain mm = 236.1
| year rain mm = 1369.6
| Jan rain days = 1.3
| Feb rain days = 0.8
| Mar rain days = 0.4
| Apr rain days = 1.0
| May rain days = 2.1
| Jun rain days = 2.9
| Jul rain days = 4.0
| Aug rain days = 5.7
| Sep rain days = 5.8
| Oct rain days = 9.9
| Nov rain days = 12.2
| Dec rain days = 6.4
| year rain days = 52.4
|time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 71
| Feb humidity = 70
| Mar humidity = 71
| Apr humidity = 73
| May humidity = 73
| Jun humidity = 66
| Jul humidity = 64
| Aug humidity = 68
| Sep humidity = 74
| Oct humidity = 78
| Nov humidity = 80
| Dec humidity = 76
|year humidity = 72
|source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref name="IMDnormals">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101061732/https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf |archive-date=1 January 2023 |title=Climatological Tables 1991–2020 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |access-date=1 January 2023 |page=21}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M194
| access-date = 7 March 2020}}</ref>
|source 2 = Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)<ref name=TCC1>
{{cite web
| url = https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=43329
| title = Normals Data: Cuddalore – India Latitude: 11.77°N Longitude: 79.77°E Height: 12 (m)
| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency
| access-date = 1 December 2022}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{bar box|title=Religious census|titlebar=#ddd|left1=Religion|right1=Percent(%)|float=left|bars={{bar percent|[[Hinduism|Hindu]]|Orange|89.12}}{{bar percent|[[Islam|Muslim]]|Green|6.09}}{{bar percent|[[Christianity|Christian]]|purple|3.98}}{{bar percent|[[Jainism|Jain]]|Blue|0.27}}{{bar percent|[[Sikhism|Sikh]]|yellow|0.02}}{{bar percent|[[Buddhism|Buddhist]]|Gold|0.02}}{{bar percent|Other|grey|0.48}}{{bar percent|[[Irreligion|No religion]]|violet|0.25}}}}

[[File:Cuddalore_City.jpg|220x124px|thumb|right|alt=A road in Cuddalore|Cuddalore City]]
According to [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], Cuddalore had a population of 173,636 with a sex-ratio of 1,026 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.<ref name="dashboard">{{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/index.html|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|year=2013|access-date=26 January 2014}}</ref> A total of 17,403 were under the age of six, constituting 8,869 males and 8,534 females. [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes]] accounted for 13.22% and 0.3% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the city was 78.92%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.<ref name="dashboard"/> The city had a total of 42,174 households. There were a total of 62,115 workers, comprising 561 cultivators, 1,856 main agricultural labourers, 1,464 in household industries, 48,337 other workers, 9,897 marginal workers, 139 marginal cultivators, 952 marginal agricultural labourers, 771 marginal workers in household industries and 8,035 other marginal workers.<ref name=2011census>{{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals – Cuddalore |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=690211 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140115173204/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=690211 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 January 2014 |publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |year=2013 |access-date=26 January 2014 }}</ref>

As of 2007, a total of {{convert|1665|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (11.5%) of the land was used for residential, {{convert|122|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (0.8%) for commercial, {{convert|400|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (2.7%) for industrial, {{convert|195|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (1.4%) for public and semi public purposes and {{convert|120|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (0.8%) for educational purposes. Out of the undeveloped land area, {{convert|3089|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (21.3%) is under land and water, {{convert|7296.97|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (50.5%) of the area is used for agricultural purposes, {{convert|770|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (5.4%) is vacant land in quarries and hillocks and {{convert|810|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (5.6%) for transport and communication.<ref name="urbaninfra12">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report 2007]], p. 12</ref> As of 2008, there were 29 notified slums, with 59,075 comprising 37.23% of the total population residing in those.<ref>[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report 2007]], p. 14</ref>

As per the religious census of 2011, Cuddalore had 89.12% [[Hindus]], 6.09% [[Muslims]], 3.98% [[Christians]], 0.02% [[Sikhs]], 0.02% [[Buddhists]], 0.27% [[Jainism|Jains]], 0.48% following other religions and 0.01% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.<ref name=religion2011>{{cite web|title=Population By Religious Community – Tamil Nadu|year=2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html|format=XLS|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

==Transport==
{{main|Transport in Cuddalore}}
[[File:Cholan CUPJ PF1.jpg|210px|thumb|Cuddalore Port Junction]]
[[File:CUPJ Entrance Arch.jpg|210px|thumb|Entrance to the Cudalore Port]]
Cuddalore has Three major railway stations, namely, [[Cuddalore Port Junction railway station|Cuddalore Port Junction]] and Tiruppadirippuliyur [[Cuddalore Castle]], Varakalpattu [[Cuddalore Moffusil]] both on the Viluppuram–Mayiladuthurai–Tiruchirappalli Mainline Section. The Cuddalore Port Junction has a branch to [[Virudhachalam Junction railway station]] via [[Neyveli]], [[Vadalur]]. Cuddalore Port Junction has four platforms and one stabling line used more for handling freight trains. Tiruppadirippuliyur [[Cuddalore Castle]], the other important railway station of Cuddalore has two platforms and is located close to the Cuddalore bus stand. There are express and passenger trains on either side, connecting various cities with Tamil Nadu. There are daily express trains to many cities.

[[File:Cuddalore_City.jpg|220x124px|thumb|right|alt=Cuddalore|A road in Cuddalore]]
There is 230&nbsp;km (140&nbsp;mi) of roads in the town, out of which the Highways department maintains 26&nbsp;km (16&nbsp;mi).<ref name="urbaninfra15">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report 2007]], p. 15</ref> The Cuddalore City maintains a total of {{convert|204.94|km|mi|abbr=on}} of roads: {{convert|38.84|km|mi|abbr=on}} of concrete roads, {{convert|163.6|km|mi|abbr=on}} of bituminous roads, {{convert|1.62|km|mi|abbr=on}} of [[Macadam|water-bound macadam]] (WBM) roads and {{convert|0.85|km|mi|abbr=on}} of earthen roads.<ref>{{cite web|title=How to reach|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Roads.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106040128/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Roads.htm|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref> The National Highways, NH-32 [[Viluppuram]]–[[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]]–Cuddalore–[[Chidambaram]]–[[Nagapattinam]]–[[Thoothukudi]] Highway passes through Cuddalore. Cuddalore is served by a town bus service, which provides connectivity within the town and the suburbs. There are privately operated mini-bus services that cater to local transport needs. The main bus stand is located in [[Thirupathiripuliyur|Thirupapuliyur]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Cuddalore Bus stand|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Bus%20stand.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106042128/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Bus%20stand.htm|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref>

The nearest airport is in [[Puducherry (city)|Pondicherry]], approximately {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Cuddalore, while the nearest international airport is [[Chennai International Airport]], located {{convert|200|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the town.<ref name="transport">{{cite web|title=How to reach|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/abt_How%20To%20Reach.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106042150/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/abt_How%20To%20Reach.htm|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref> There is an airport finished its construction and waiting for the opening in [[Neyveli Airport|Neyveli]], which is nearly {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Cuddalore. Daily flights to [[Chennai]] is going to be operated by [[Air Odisha]].

The town is served by Cuddalore Port, a minor port. This port mainly handles cargo and is in close vicinity to [[Cuddalore Port Junction railway station|Cuddalore Port Junction]].

==Economy==
[[File:Indien Tamil Nadu Cuddalore Old Town Boats.jpg|210px|thumb|Fishing boats in Cuddalore]]
Being a coastal town, historically, Cuddalore's primary industry was [[fishing]]. Although Cuddalore was once a port town, the shipping trade has now moved to larger centres. Cuddalore also hosts the heavy chemical, pharmacological and energy industries in SIPCOT, an industrial estate set up by the state government. The [[NTPC Limited|National Thermal Power Corporation]] (NTPC) and [[TNEB|Tamil Nadu Electricity Board]] (TNEB) planned to commence power plants around the town.<ref name="urbaninfra12"/>

The industrial development in Cuddalore's recent past has resulted in extreme pollution. [[SIPCOT]], the central industrial area in the town is a "global toxic hotspot."<ref>{{cite news|date= 10 September 2004| url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/21/stories/2004092109840400.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041114124725/http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/21/stories/2004092109840400.htm| url-status=dead| archive-date=14 November 2004|title= Villages in Cuddalore industrial estate "toxic hot spot"|access-date=28 October 2006 |work= [[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Local communities have voiced concern about industrialization and pollution.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sipcotcuddalore.com/action.html |title=Take Action|work=SIPCOT Area Community Environmental Monitors |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref> The SIPCOT chemical industry estate in Cuddalore was investigated in November 2002 by a team from the [[Indian People's Tribunal]] headed by [[J. Kanakaraj]]. The group reported "a noticeable stench of chemicals in the air". The report published in July 2003 noted that "Villages like Kudikadu, Thaikal, Eachangadu and Sonnanchavadi lie in a virtual 'gas chamber' surrounded on three sides by chemical factories and bounded on the fourth by the river".<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ma-yT08XUlQC&pg=PA182 |pages=181–182
 |title=Environment Trafficking |first=A.k. |last=Shrivastava |publisher=APH Publishing |year=2007 |isbn=978-8131300305}}</ref> There are reports of illegal dumping of toxic waste.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sipcotcuddalore.com/updates_archives.html |title=Villagers Confront Chemplast on Illegal Trial Runs|work=SIPCOT Area Community Environmental Monitors |date=9 September 2009 |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref> On 22 March 2008, a report for the "Tamil Nadu Pollution Board" prepared by the Nagpur-based "National Environmental Engineering Research Institute" found that residents of the SIPCOT area of Cuddalore were at least 2000 times more likely than their counterparts to contract cancer in their lifetimes due to exposure to high levels of toxic gases from chemical industries in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sipcotcuddalore.com/pr_220308.html |title=2000 times higher cancer risk for SIPCOT Cuddalore Residents: NEERI|work=SIPCOT Area Community Environmental Monitors |date=24 March 2008 |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref>

The Cuddalore Port operates at the confluence of the Gadilam River and the Paravanar River. The ships anchor in midstream at about {{convert|1|mi|km|order=flip|round=0.5}} from the shore, where cargo is loaded and discharged through lighters. There is a bar at the mouth of the combined river, which maintains a depth of {{convert|5-6|ft|m|order=flip}} at low water. During July to September, the depth over the bar is reduced to about {{convert|3-4|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}}. Other ports under construction in Cuddalore are Thiruchopuram port, Silambimangalam port, Parangipettai port (Porto Nova) and PY-03 Oil Field (operational).<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.tnmaritime.com/captive_ports.php?port=13
| title = List of Captive Ports in Tamilnadu
| access-date = 9 October 2008
| work = Tamil Nadu
| publisher = TN MARITIME BOARD India }}</ref>

==Education==
There are a total of more than ten schools, including both matriculation and CBSE in Cuddalore.

'''Schools'''
* CSI St Davids Matriculation School in Cuddalore
* St. David's Higher Secondary School, Cuddalore Port (O.T)
* Sri Saraswathi Vidhyaalaya Matriculation School 
* St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School - Cuddalore
* [[St. Mary's Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Cuddalore|St. Mary's]]
* [[A.R.L.M. Matriculation Higher Secondary School|ARLM]]
* Krishnasamy
* St. Anne's
* Crescent Primary and Nursery School
* CK
* Akshara Vidyaashram

'''Arts & Science Colleges'''

* Periyar Government Arts College
* Immaculate college for women
* St. Joseph Arts & Science College
* C. Kandasamy Naidu College for Women (KNC).

'''Engineering Colleges'''

* Krishnasamy Memorial Engineering College
* CK College of Engineering and Technology.

'''Polytechnic Colleges'''

* Krishnasamy Memorial Polytechnic
* Padaleeswarar Polytechnic

'''Industrial Training Institutes'''

There are six Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) in the town, two of which are operated by the government.<ref>{{cite web|title=Educational Institutions|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/edu.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609202111/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/edu.htm|archive-date=9 June 2010}}</ref>

==Utilities==

'''Electricity'''

Electricity supply to Cuddalore is regulated and distributed by the [[Tamil Nadu Electricity Board]] (TNEB). The town and its suburbs form the Cuddalore Electricity Distribution Circle. A chief distribution engineer is stationed at the regional headquarters.<ref>{{cite web|title=Important Address |url=http://www.windpro.org/pdf/MISC/TNEB%20Address.pdf  |publisher=Indian Wind Power Association |access-date=29 December 2012 |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016045943/http://www.windpro.org/pdf/MISC/TNEB%20Address.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2012 }}</ref>

'''Water Supply'''

Water supply is provided to the town by the Cuddalore municipality from three sources: Pennaiyar River, borewells from Caper Hills and Thirvanthipuram. The water from the sources is stored in ten overhead tanks located in various parts of the town. During the period 2000–01, 6.065 million litres of water was supplied every day to households in the town.<ref>{{cite web|title=Water Supply Details|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Water%20Supply.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|year=2011|access-date=29 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106042132/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Water%20Supply.htm|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref>

'''Sewage & Drainage'''

About 103 tonnes of solid waste are collected from Cuddalore every day by door-to-door collection. Subsequently, the sanitary department of the Cuddalore municipality carries out the source segregation and dumping. The coverage of solid waste management had an efficiency of 100 per cent as of 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waste management programme|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Solid%20Waste%20Management.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106040436/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Solid%20Waste%20Management.htm|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref> There is no underground drainage system in the town, and the sewerage system for disposal of sullage is through septic tanks, open drains and public conveniences.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cuddalore sewarage|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Sewerage.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106042125/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Sewerage.htm|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref> The municipality maintains stormwater drains for {{convert|65|km|mi|abbr=on}}, covering 32% of municipal roads.<ref name="urbaninfra15" />

'''Hospitals'''

There is one government hospital, six municipal maternity homes, and 37 other private hospitals that take care of the citizens' healthcare needs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cuddalore hospitals|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/ser_Hospitals.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|year=2011|access-date=29 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224191020/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/ser_Hospitals.htm|archive-date=24 February 2011}}</ref>

'''Lights'''

There are 4,517 street lamps in the town: 275 sodium lamps, 201 mercury vapour lamps and 4,041 tube lights.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cuddalore street lights|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Street%20lights.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|year=2011|access-date=29 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140105044419/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Street%20lights.htm|archive-date=5 January 2014}}</ref>

=== Markets ===
The municipality operates five markets, namely, Aringar Anna Daily Market at Manjakuppam, Banbari Daily Market at Thirupapuliyur, Bakthavachalam Daily Market at Cuddalore OT, Pudupalayam Daily Market at Pudupalayam and Devanampattinam Daily Market at Devanampattinam, that cater to the needs of the town and the surrounding rural areas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cuddalore markets|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Markets.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|year=2011|access-date=29 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140105044404/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/sal_Markets.htm|archive-date=5 January 2014}}</ref>

==Administration and politics==
{|  class="toccolours" style="clear:right; float:right; background:#ffffff; margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em; width:220"
|-
!style="background:#A8BDEC" align="center" colspan="2"|'''Municipal Corporation Officials'''
|-
|align="center"| Mayor||Sundari<ref>{{cite web|title=Chairman of municipality|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/who_Chairperson.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106042144/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/who_Chairperson.htm|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|Corporation Commissioner||Viswanathan <ref>{{cite web|title=Commissioner of municipality|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/who_Commissioner.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106042147/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/who_Commissioner.htm|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref>
|-
|
|
|-
!style="background:#A8BDEC" align="center" colspan="2"|'''Elected members'''
|-
|align="center"|Member of Legislative Assembly||G. Iyappan<ref name="MLA of Cuddalore Assembly Constituency">{{cite web|title=MLA of Cuddalore |url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/members/constnamewise.htm |publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu |year=2011 |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006234417/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/members/constnamewise.htm |archive-date=6 October 2013 }}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|Member of Parliament||<ref name="Rit">{{cite web|title=Members of Lok Sabha from Tamil Nadu|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/government/loksaba?page=1|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2014|access-date =26 May 2014}}</ref> T. R. V. S. Ramesh
|}
The Cuddalore municipality was established in 1866 during British times as a revenue village. It was promoted to a selection-grade municipal municipality in 1991 and special grade in 2008.<ref name="about">{{cite web|title=About the municipality|url=http://cuddalore.tn.nic.in/cudmpl.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|access-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128195630/http://cuddalore.tn.nic.in/cudmpl.htm|archive-date=28 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The municipality has 45 wards, and there is an elected councillor for each of those wards.<ref name="councillor"/> The municipality's functions are devolved into six departments: general administration/personnel, Engineering, Revenue, Public Health, city planning and Information Technology (IT). All these departments are under the control of a Municipal Commissioner who is the executive head.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration |url=http://www.tn.gov.in/cma/chart5.htm |publisher=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration |access-date=29 December 2012 |year=2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106103849/http://www.tn.gov.in/cma/chart5.htm |archive-date=6 November 2012 }}</ref> The legislative powers are vested in a body of 45 members, one each from the 45 wards.<ref name="councillor">{{cite web|title=Councillors of municipality|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/who_Councilors.pdf|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106042134/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/who_Councilors.pdf|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref> The legislative body is headed by an elected Chairperson assisted by a Deputy Chairperson.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Economic and political weekly, Volume 30|url=http://www.epw.in/epw-archive.html|page=2396|publisher=Sameeksha Trust|access-date = 29 December 2012|year=1995}}</ref>

Cuddalore comes under the [[Cuddalore (State Assembly Constituency)|Cuddalore assembly]] constituency. It elects a member to the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]] once every five years.<ref>{{cite web 
 |url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/Const_map/map.htm 
 |title=List of Assembly Constituencies 
 |year=2010 
 |access-date=28 December 2012 
 |work=Tamil Nadu 
 |publisher=Tamil Nadu state government 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614070155/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/const_map/map.htm 
 |archive-date=14 June 2012 
 }}</ref> From the 1977 elections, the assembly seat was won by [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) five times during the 1980, 1989, 1996, 2001 and 2006 elections, the [[Indian National Congress]] party two times during the 1984 and 1991 elections and the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (ADMK) twice during the 1997 and 2011 elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/electionanalysis/AE/S22/partycomp63.htm|title=Partywise Comparison Since 1977|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011}}</ref> The current MLA of the constituency is G.Iyappan from DMK.<ref name="MLA of Cuddalore Assembly Constituency" />

During the 2009 general elections, Cuddalore was a part of [[Cuddalore (Lok Sabha constituency)]] with six assembly segments: [[Tittakudi (State Assembly Constituency)|Tittakudi (SC)]], [[Vridhachalam (State Assembly Constituency)|Vridhachalam]], [[Neyveli (State Assembly Constituency)|Neyveli]], [[Cuddalore (State Assembly Constituency)|Cuddalore]], [[Panruti (State Assembly Constituency)|Panruti]] and [[Kurinjipadi (State Assembly Constituency)|Kurinjipadi]].<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/CurrentElections/CONSOLIDATED_ORDER%20_ECI%20.pdf
| title = List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies
|page=448
| access-date = 9 October 2008 
| work = Tamil Nadu
| publisher = Election Commission of India }}</ref> Before 2009, Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency composed of the following assembly segments: [[Ulundurpet (SC) (State Assembly Constituency)|Ulundurpet (SC)]], [[Nellikkuppam (State Assembly Constituency)|Nellikkuppam]], [[Cuddalore (State Assembly Constituency)|Cuddalore]], [[Panruti (State Assembly Constituency)|Panruti]], [[Rishivandinam (State Assembly Constituency)|Rishivandinam]] and [[Sankarapuram (State Assembly Constituency)|Sankarapuram]].<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://eci.nic.in/archive/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf
| title = List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies
| access-date = 9 October 2008 
|page=3
| work = Tamil Nadu
| publisher = Election Commission of India }}</ref> The Lok Sabha seat has been held by the [[Indian National Congress]] for eight terms during 1951–56,<ref name="1952electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1951/VOL_11_51_LS.PDF|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1952 to the First Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|page=158|access-date=13 December 2011}}</ref> 1971–77,<ref name="1971electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1971/Vol_I_LS_71.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1971 to the Fifth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=13 December 2011|page=71}}</ref> 1977–80.<ref name="1977electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1977/Vol_I_LS_77.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1977 to the Sixth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=13 December 2011|page=80}}</ref> 1980–84, 1984–1989,<ref name="1984electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1984/Vol_I_LS_84.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1984 to the Eighth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=13 December 2011|page=73}}</ref> 1989–91,<ref name="1989electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1989/Vol_I_LS_89.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1989 to the Ninth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=13 December 2011|page=81}}</ref> 1991–96,<ref name="1991electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1991/VOL_I_LS_91.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1991 to the Tenth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=13 December 2011|page=51}}</ref> and 2009–present,<ref name="2009elections">{{cite book|title=Notification No. 308/2009/EPS|publisher=Election Commission of India|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/press/ECI_15th_Lok_Sabha.pdf|access-date=13 December 2011|page=36}}</ref> [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] for four times during 1962–1967,<ref name="1962electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1962/Vol_I_LS_62.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1962 to the Third Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=13 December 2011|page=49}}</ref> 1967–71,<ref name="1967electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1967/Vol_I_LS_67.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1967 to the Fourth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=13 December 2011|page=67}}</ref> 1999–04,<ref name="1999electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1999/Vol_I_LS_99.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1999 to the Thirteenth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=13 December 2011|page=85}}</ref> and 2004–09,<ref name="2004electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_2004/Vol_I_LS_2004.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 2004 to the Fourteenth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=13 December 2011|page=94}}</ref> [[Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] twice during 1998–99 and 2014,<ref name="1998electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1998/Vol_I_LS_98.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1998 to the Twelfth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=13 December 2011|page=85}}</ref> [[Tamil Maanila Congress]] once during 1996–2001 and an independent during 1957–62,<ref name="1957electionresults">{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1957/Vol_I_57_LS.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1957 to the Second Lok Sabha|page=17|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=13 December 2011}}</ref> The current Member of Parliament from the constituency is T. R. V. S. Ramesh from the DMK.<ref name="Rit"/>

The town's law and order is maintained by the Cuddalore sub division of the [[Tamil Nadu Police]] headed by a deputy superintendent (DSP).<ref name="district police"/> There are four police stations in the town located in NT, Thirupapuliyur, Cuddalore OT and Cuddalore Port.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cuddalore police|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/ser_Police%20stations.htm|publisher=Cuddalore Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=29 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106042141/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/ser_Police%20stations.htm|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref> There are select units like prohibition enforcement, district crime, social justice and human rights, district crime records and a select branch that operate at the district level police division headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP).<ref name="district police">{{cite web|title=Cuddalore district police|url=http://www.tnpolice.gov.in/District_Details.php?code=29601|publisher=Tamil Nadu Police|year=2011|access-date=26 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140105042050/http://www.tnpolice.gov.in/District_Details.php?code=29601|archive-date=5 January 2014}}</ref>

On 24 August 2021, the state government announced the upgrading of the Cuddalore Greater Municipality to "Cuddalore City Municipal Corporation" with same authority area of 27.69 sq km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="TOI_MunicipToCorp">{{cite news
 | last = Shanmughasundaram
 | first = J.
 | title = Tambaram, Kancheepuram and four other municipalities to be corporations
 | newspaper = The Times of India
 | location = Chennai
 | pages =
 | language =
 | publisher = The Times Group
 | date = 24 August 2021
 | url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tambaram-kancheepuram-to-be-among-six-new-corporations-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/85594405.cms
 | access-date = 29 September 2021}}</ref>

In May 2023, A. Arun Thamburaj, I.A.S assumed his office as the District collector of Cuddalore.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2023-05-25 |title=A. Arun Thamburaj takes charge as Cuddalore Collector |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/a-arun-thamburaj-takes-charge-as-cuddalore-collector/article66892627.ece |access-date=2023-09-08 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Tourism==
[[File:Padaleeswarar_(1).jpg|220x124px|thumb|right|alt=A temple in cuddalore|Padaleeshwarar temple]]
[[Pataleeswarar Temple, Cuddalore|Pataleeswarar Temple]], a Hindu temple, built during the 7th century and dated a millennium earlier, is the most prominent landmark in Cuddalore.<ref name="tour"/> The name, Thirupathipuliyur, is associated with the legend behind the temple. The temple is revered in the verses of 7th-century Saiva saints [[Appar]] and [[Tirugnanasambandar]] in their works in ''[[Tevaram]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Padaleeswarar temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=548|work=Dinamalar|access-date=3 January 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Devanathaswamytemple_(6).jpg|220x124px|thumb|right|alt=A temple in Cuddalore|Devanathaswamy temple]]
The [[Thiruvanthipuram temple|Devanathaswami Temple]], located in Thiruvanthipuram, is another Hindu pilgrimage site around Cuddalore.<ref name="tour"/>
[[File:Silver_Beach_photo.jpg|220x124px|thumb|right|alt=Silver beach|Silver Beach]]
[[Silver Beach (India)|Silver Beach]] is a {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} long beach located in Cuddalore and is another prominent visitor attraction of the town.<ref name="tour">{{cite web|title=Tourist attraction in Cuddalore|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/abt_Places%20of%20Interest.htm|publisher=Cuddalore municipality|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923175511/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/Cuddalore/abt_Places%20of%20Interest.htm|archive-date=23 September 2009}}</ref> Pichavaram, which is 57&nbsp;km from Cuddalore, is a [[mangrove forest]].
[[File:Fort_St.David.jpg|220x124px|thumb|right|alt=A ruined fort in Cuddalore|Fort St.David]]
[[Fort St David]], situated on the River [[Gadilam River|Gadilam]] near Devanampattinam and acquired in 1653 CE by [[Elihu Yale]], a Christian slave-trader and cruel slave master, is one of the most visited tourist attraction in Cuddalore. The wealth embezzled and extracted by him was infused into [[Yale University]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} Only two decades later, in 1677, when [[Shivaji]] captured [[Gingee]], the fort fell into the Marathas' hands. In 1690, the [[British East India Company]] purchased the fort and the adjacent villages (within "ye randome shott of a piece of ordnance".) A great gun was fired to different points of the compass. All the country within its range, including the town of Cuddalore, passed into English possession. The villages thus obtained are called "cannonball villages".<ref>{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Cuddalore|volume=7|pages=611–612}}</ref> The fortifications were strengthened in 1693, 1698, 1702, 1725, 1740 and 1745. In 1746 Fort St. David became the British headquarters for British India. The British ruled a more significant part of south India (Tamil Nadu, parts of the present- Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka) from Fort St. David. An attack by [[Joseph François Dupleix|Dupleix]] was successfully repulsed. In 1756, [[Robert Clive|Clive]] was appointed governor. The French captured the fort in 1758 but in 1760 relinquished it to Sir [[Eyre Coote (East India Company officer)|Eyre Coote]] of the British East India Company. The French recaptured the fort in 1782 and held it in 1783 during the [[Battle of Cuddalore (1783)|Battle of Cuddalore]]. In 1785 the fort passed into British possession. By this time, however, the centre of British rule was Fort St George.<ref>{{cite news|title=In search of a fort|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/in-search-of-a-fort/article3722254.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=3 August 2012|access-date=5 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=In search of a fort|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/a-governor-kept-busy/article4863468.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=30 June 2013|last=S.|first=Muthiah|location=Chennai|access-date=5 January 2014}}</ref>

The Garden House was the official residence of the Cuddalore District Collector, Robert Clive. It is typical of later medieval architecture. The Garden House roof was built using only bricks and slaked lime with no steel and wood.<ref>{{cite news|title=The house of Clive|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/02/13/stories/2005021300260700.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050216092209/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/02/13/stories/2005021300260700.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 February 2005|date=13 February 2005|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=5 January 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Sathya_gnana_sabha,_vadalur_1.jpg|220x124px|thumb|right|alt=A famous place|Satyagnana sabha]]
[[Satyagnana Sabha, Vadalur|Satyagnana Sabha]] (சத்ய ஞான சபை, literally "Temple of Wisdom") is a temple constructed by saint [[Ramalinga Swamigal|Sri Raamalinga Swaamigal]] (Vallalaar) in the town of [[Vadalur]] in [[Cuddalore district]], Tamil Nadu, India on 25 January 1872. It is an octagonal structure; the ''sanctum sanctorum'' of this temple is concealed from the main hall by seven curtains which are parted only on the [[Thai Poosam]] day. All the four towers of the [[Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram|Chidambaram Nataraajar temple]] are visible from the sabha. The temple is open year-round. Thousands of visitors attend festivals and monthly puja dates at this temple. Vadalur is well connected by rail and road, and it provides transport to major cities like Trichy, Chennai, Tanjore, Puducherry, and Kumbakonam.

== Notable person ==

* [[Anjalai Ammal]], an Indian freedom fighter and social worker

==Notes==
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==References==
{{reflist}}

==More References==
{{refbegin|2}}
* {{cite book|title=World Famous personality living in village: A-E|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3amnMPTPP5MC&q=cuddalore&pg=PA275|last=Mohandoss|first= Krishnamoorthy|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2007|isbn=9780313335372|ref=Mohandoss}} 
* {{cite report|title=Conversion of City Corporate Plan into Business Plan|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/City_Corporate.pdf|last=Urban Infrastructure report|publisher=Tamilnadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited|year=2007|access-date=29 December 2012|ref=urban|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021140256/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/cuddalore/City_Corporate.pdf|archive-date=21 October 2013}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}

{{Municipalities of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Cuddalore District}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cuddalore| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Cuddalore district]]
[[Category:Port cities in India]]