Arcot

Arcot is a historic town and region in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It lies on the banks of the Palar River and has long been associated with political and military events in South Indian history. The town is best known as the traditional seat of the Nawabs of the Carnatic, rulers who governed the Carnatic region under nominal Mughal suzerainty.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Arcot became a focal point in the imperial rivalry between the British East India Company and the French East India Company during the Carnatic Wars. The conflict and shifting alliances in the region helped shape the balance of power in southern India. In 1753, the Treaty of Arcot formalized an alliance between the Nawab of Arcot and the British, strengthening British influence in the Carnatic and contributing to the broader colonial dynamics of the era.

Architecturally and historically, Arcot retains remnants from its medieval and colonial past, including religious and public structures that reflect its role as a political center during the Nawabi era. The surrounding countryside has long supported agriculture and local trade, which continue to play a role in the area’s economy.

Today, Arcot is a town within Tamil Nadu that serves as a local hub for nearby villages. Its historical legacy is of interest to historians of South Asia and the colonial period, and it remains a reminder of the region’s complex pre-modern and colonial history.