Ambur

Ambur
—  Municipal Town  —
Nickname(s): Leather City
Ambur Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 12.78°N 78.7°E / 12.78; 78.7
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Vellore
Area
• Total	17.97 km2 (6.94 sq mi)
Elevation	316 m (1,037 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	113,856
• Density	Bad rounding here6,300/km2 (Bad rounding here16,000/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	635 802
Telephone code	91 - 4174
Vehicle registration	TN 23, TN 73
Sex ratio	1031 ♂/♀

Ambur (Tamil: ஆம்பூர்) (Hindi: आम्बुर) (Urdu: آمبور‎) is a town and state Assembly Constituency in the Vellore District of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on the banks of the Palar River on the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway.

Ambur is home to a major part of India's leather industry thus earning it the nickname Leather City and making it one of the top exporter of finished and unfinished leather goods (such as shoes, garments and gloves) in the country. Due to this, the leather industry occupies a pride of place in the industrial map of Tamil Nadu and makes it enjoy a leading position in nation's export. A majority of the local population is well educated and skilled in all technology.

It is also known for Biryani, a tasty rice dish ; varieties of chicken dishes ; non-vegetarian curries, etc., Sweet dishes like Gulab Jamun, Boondhi, Gajar ka halwa and Mutanjan, a dessert in Muslim weddings after the feast have become popular since the reign of Nawabs of Arcot (Aaru Kaadu which means river and forest in Tamil).

Name

Due to its tropical & sub-tropical climate, Mangoes and Jasmine have been cultivated in and around the town for hundreds of years. The name Ambur is amb=our, ur = place[ourplace].

History

Ambur is in existence since the period of Pallava's. However, there are no protected or notified monuments at present to reveal the past history and perhaps they might have been ruined due to successive wars held in the past.

During 15th & 16th century, the North Arcot District which included Ambur was under the control of rulers of the Vijaya Nagar which in 1687 was brought under the control of the Nawabs of the Carnatic. On 20 May 1740, the Nizam of Hyderabad incited the Marathas to invade Carnatic. Nawab Dost Ali Khan and Chanda Sahib met the Maratha army under Chattrapati Shahu at Ambur. The Marathas won the battle by killing Dost Ali Khan and capturing Chanda Sahib.

Battle of Ambur

The Battle of Ambur (3 August 1749) was the first major battle of the Second Carnatic War resulting as the decisive in the struggle between the English and the French for Supremacy. It marked the end of Mughal centralized power and the initiation of European influenced powers. During this battle Nawab Anwaruddin Muhammed Khan supported by the English, met the French army at Ambur and was killed by his rival Chanda Sahib.

Siege of Ambur

In 1767 during the First Anglo-Mysore War to invade Carnatic, a combined force of Mysore and Hyderabadi troops under the command of Hyder Ali of Mysore conducted the Siege of Ambur. The town was successfully defended by a small force of British East India Company troops along with a garrison of local troops and at the beginning of 18th century, it came under the control of British.

Geography

Ambur is geographically located at 12.78°N 78.7°E / 12.78; 78.7. It has an average elevation of 316 metres (1036 feet).

It lies exactly between IT hubs Chennai and Bengaluru. It is at a distance of 180 km from these two cities both on roads via National Highway 68 (formerly 46) and on rails. The district headquarters, Vellore is about 52 km from the town towards Chennai. The proposed development of "Chennai-Bengaluru industrial corridor of excellence" is expected to stimulate the industrial growth which will improve the socio economic condition of the town.

Climate

Extremely hot and dry during summer when temperature soars to as high as 43 degree C (110 F). Winter is cold and dry with temperature dipping to 10 degree C during the night.

Ambur has a tropical wet-and-dry climate, reaching high temperatures during summer and experiences wet winters. The maximum rainfall occurs during October and November, with the northeast monsoon. The area experiences rainfall during the southwest monsoon as well.

Cultivation

Due to its tropical & sub-tropical climate, Mangoes, Groundnet, Coconut and Jasmine have been cultivated in and around the town for hundreds of years.

Administration

Ambur is a selection grade municipality and headquarters of Ambur taluk which is an administrative division comprising of 79 Revenue villages in the district of Vellore. The municipal council has 36 elected members. It represents Ambur assembly constituency.

The leather town has been maintaining communal amity in the civic elections for over 60 years. There is an unwritten agreement between the Hindu and the Muslim communities that is being meticulously followed. Accordingly, when a Muslim candidate gets elected for one term, the next term will be held by a Hindu candidate. The Vice-Chairperson would be a Hindu if the chairperson is a Muslim and vice versa.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Ambur had a population of 99,855. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. Though the official population in 2001 recorded around 1,00,000, there is almost an equal number of immigrants from Southern Districts, who have recently moved in to the town. This apart, an approximate 12,000 people visit Ambur everyday for work from nearby villages and also from far off places such as Chennai & Bangalore.

Education

Ambur is one of the most literate towns in Tamil Nadu. It has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 53% of the males and 47% of females literate. The town does not have any Engineering or Medical college but the district of Vellore has several notable educational institutions. Most students after their schooling head to Chennai for higher education.

Culture

Religion

Ambur has a diversified population. People here most predominantly are Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Jains, Saurashtrians so and others forming the population living in areas adjacent to one another. The vast diversity of religion doesn't hinder in the harmony of the place. People invite each other to their special occasions and weddings.society is very friendly with each other regardless to any religion.

Language

Tamil is largely spoken bu all community people next urdu, Telugu, Malyalam and Kannada people by neighbouring states. we have unique language Saurashtra mainly spoken by Saurashtrian communities. Madurai in South India has the highest number of people belonging to this community and also remains as their cultural center.

Festival

Major festivals celebrated here include Eid ul-Fitr, Bakrid, Pongal, Diwali, Easter and Christmas. Muslims observe fasting in the month of Ramadan. The town is known for its Hindu-Muslim integrity. People from both communities share and greet one another in their respective festivals.

Economy

Industries

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_enIN491IN492&q=leather+industries+of+north+arcot Ambur houses hundreds of leather tanning and manufacturing facilities. It is a leading cluster for export of finished leather, shoe uppers, full shoes and is a major contributor to India's leather and leather-related products. Factories here manufacture shoes for world's leading footwear brand names like Effegi, Florsheim Shoe, Lumberjack, Cole Haan, Gabor, Primigi, Caterpillar, Clarks, Sioux, Fretzmen, Hi-Line, Hugo Boss, Marc, Nunn Bush NXT and many more. Some of the prominent names that have set up manufacturing units here are Farida Group, SSC Group, Bonaventure Shoes, NMZ Group of Industries, TAW Group, KAR Group, NMH & Co., Florence, Irbaz Shoes, Mohib Shoes, ESAAR Group, Harmain Leather Exports, etc., and now FDIs (Foreign Direct Investments) have become very common, to name a few establishments ITARES (Italy Renzi Shoes) of Italy, Allen Solly of Switzerland etc. These companies provide a major chunk of employment to the local population which is skilled. Traders who supply shoe materials, chemicals to these companies have huge business opportunities over here.

Ambur Trade Center

Trade Centre

Ambur Trade Center Conference Hall

Ambur has been recognized as 'Town of Export Excellence' for leather products by Government of India. "Ambur Trade Centre" has been constructed with financial contribution from Indian government and the leather industry which provides a platform for holding international exhibitions, conferences, workshops, AEDOL and Leather Testing Services TUV has their Sample Collection office at this premises.

Pollution

One of the problems that Ambur faces is polluted ground water which is not potable. This happened due to the chemicals released by the leather tanneries directly into the most-of-the-time-dry Palar River traversing across Ambur before the Common Effluent Treatment Plants that use Reverse Osmosis process were installed. However, with strict measures taken by the State Government, most of the companies have now installed effluent treatment plants to treat the water from harsh chemicals such as hexavalent chromium, trivalent chromium, etc.

Infrastructure

Ambur was mostly forest surrounded by hills hundreds of years ago. It is only after the arrival of Muslims, development of the town started.

Ambur has a renovated model Railway Station, Bus Terminus, Police Stations, combined court complex, all major banks, Colleges, and several government & private Schools. There is an old commercial market which helps in promoting economic activities of the town. Also, plenty of retail & wholesale stores are found here which sell genuine leather footwear, garments & other prodcuts.

Hospitals

Christian missionaries from U.S.A. offered a comprehensive medical care in Ambur as early as 1907. Bullock cart was used as a mobile clinic to provide medical services to the areas surrounding Ambur. Later in 1921, a hospital was started by the efforts of Dr. Doederlein, an eminent Chicago physician and two American nurses which in 1986 was envisaged as a multi-speciality hospital known as Bethesda hospital providing secondary level health care to majority of poor and middle class society in & around the town.

A Government of Tamil Nadu run hospital is set up here to provide free medical care to the people of the town and its surrounding villages. Today we could find a lot of private clinics across the town. Many doctors specialized in different department from reputed hospitals in Chennai visit Ambur during weekends for consultation.

Cuisine

Rice is the staple food of the people in this region. This place is famous for its spicy non-vegetarian cuisine made with Chicken, Mutton or egg in the form of gravy or kebab. Biryani and sweet dishes are native to the people here.

Ambur Biryani

Chicken Dum Biryani

Ambur Biryani is one of the famous & delicious food recipes of South India which emerged during the Nawab of Arcot's regime. This was served for the army of Carnatic as it was difficult to prepare Rotis or Parathas to cater to the need of lakhs of jawans. Today, it is served in all Muslim weddings along with Chicken Kebabs & sweet dishes.

Ambur probably has more biryani shops per km² than any other town in the world. Legend has it that the biryani business here was started in 1890. Prepared mainly using Basmati a variety of rice, biryanis are non-vegetarian as they are mostly made with Chicken, Mutton, Beaf or Fish. However, Egg and Veg biryani are also prepared here. A full plate of Biryani with Brinjal curry (Khatta Baigan or Yennai Kathrika) and Onion Raitha (Cachumber or Vengayam Pachidi) makes the feast a delightful one. Its delicious taste makes hundreds of highway travellers on this Golden Quadrilateral track of Chennai-Bengaluru highway to stop and taste it. Apart from this, Pakaathees (Biriyani cooks, as known in this region), the people who indulge in large scale biryani preparation are hired to many places of South India for Biryani preparation. Of late, it has become a popular fast-food in hundreds of eateries in Chennai, Bengaluru and few other cities under the name "Ambur Biryani". The best "pakaathi" in Ambur is "Dindikkal Zunoor Ahmed Alias Saiyyan"

Places of worship

Jamia Masjid, Ambur

Masjids

Muslims perform regular & periodic prayers in all Masjids across Ambur. The Jamia Masjid is the largest of them all. Other notable masjids situated here are Small Masjid, Neelifield Masjid, Santhapet Masjid, Chowk Masjid, Khaderpet Masjid, Showkat Masjid, NoorullahPet Masjid, Hashim Masjid, Mohammed Pura Masjid, Mohideen Pura Masjid, Fathima, Akbari, Rahmaniya, Bilal, Pudumanai Masjid and Kangartakiya Masjid. The Eid prayers are held in Eidgah, School and College grounds.

Lakshmi Pond at Palaandippati Temple

Temples

The Arulmigu Samayavalli sametha Naganathar Temple, built by the Cholas in 12th century in Ambur is one of the famous temples. Arulmigu Kaligambal amman Thirukkoil located in Krishnapuram is governed by Vishwabrahmins (vishwakarma). The Murugan temple is located in Kailashagiri hill near Ambur. Periya Anjaneyar kovil is an old temple which was recently renovated. In this temple, Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman) is seen in a Ugra Pose stamping Shani Bhagwan under his foot. This was built by Vijayanagara Nayak chieftains in the 17th century. Saturday's are special darshan days here.

Places to visit

Yelagiri

Paragliding in Yelagiri

Trekking at Yelagiri

Yelagiri is a hill-station at a distance of 30 km from Ambur by road towards Tiruppattur, midway between Chennai and Bengaluru. Located at an altitude of 1,410 metres above sea level and spread across 30 km², the Yelagiri village (also spelt Elagiri at times) is surrounded by lakes, orchards, rose-gardens and green valleys. Though this is not as developed as other hill stations but the road to Yelagiri is well constructed.

The Javadi Hills are located about 17 km from Ambur. The "Sevan Falls" lies near by. In the middle of this hill, lies the Kavalur Observatory, which has several optical and reflective telescopes run and governed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.

Oottal Devasthanam is the Temple of Saraswathi devi which is located in Mittalam panchayath. The UN dried pond water which is cure the many of diseases. Vishnu, Nandi, Navagraha and other temples are there. It is a week end pooja and as well as Chithra pournami and Aadi perukku is famous in this temple.

Transportation

Ambur being commercial is well connected by road, on the Chennai-Bengaluru National Expressway to most of the cities and by rail on the Chennai-Jolarpettai line with a number of express/superfast trains to Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, etc.,

Ambur/AB Railway Station NH 46, Ambur, Tamil Nadu Updated: Apr 26 2010 (06:59PM) Elevation: 330 m above sea level

The Nearest Airport is at Chennai 190 km away from Ambur.

Regular Bus services are available from & to all important cities of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.

Multi speciality options are available at Ambur Railway Station after its renovation. Several superfast Express trains run regularly via Ambur between Chennai & Bengaluru ; Chennai & Coimbatore. Express and fast passenger trains run regularly via Ambur between Chennai & Tiruppattur ; Chennai & Bengaluru ; Chennai & Mysore ; Tirupati & Mysore ; Chennai & Jolarpettai junction.