Tiruchchirappalli

City in Tamil Nadu, India, situated at the head of the Cauvery delta; population (2001) 746,100. It is a rail junction and its chief industries are cotton textiles, cement, cigars, gold and silver filigree, and railway goods. Dating from the 2nd century, Tiruchchirappalli is a place of pilgrimage and was the capital of Tamil kingdoms during the 10th to 17th centuries. It was the scene of much fighting between British and French forces until annexed by Britain in 1801. The town is dominated by a fort (1660) and temple built on a rock 84 m/275 ft high.