Arcot, Vellore

Arcot is a city and urban of Vellore city in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Located on the southern banks of Palar River, the city straddles a trade route between Chennai and Bangalore or Salem, between the Mysore Ghat and the Javadi Hills (Javvadhu malai). As of 2011, the city had a population of 70000. The sweet makkan peda is a local speciality while Arcot biryani, a rice-based traditional food, is also served here.

Etymology

Its name is commonly believed to have been derived from the Tamil words aaru (River) + kaadu (forest). However, arkaadu meant 'a forest of fig trees'.

Jainism was flourishing in this part of Tamil Land who were otherwise known as Arugar most probably corrupted form of Arhants or the perfected souls. The word Arugar is found in many ancient literary works and places dominant with arugars were related to them viz Arakonam, Arumbakkam, Aruvur, etc. Not far away from present day Arcot (Anglicized form of Aarkaadu) there is a place called Arungundram. Hence Arcot or Aarkaadu would have derived its name from Arugarkaadu.

Arcot (State Assembly Constituency)

Arcot is a constituency in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly, that includes the city, Arcot. It is part of the Arakkonam (Lok Sabha constituency).

Madras State

Tamil Nadu

References

Arcot (disambiguation)

Arcot may refer to: