North Arcot

North Arcot was an district of India that was split in 1989 into the Tiruvannamalai District and Vellore Districts.

History

Historically, the name "Arcot" is said to be derived from a linguistic corruption of the original Tamil word "Aaru Kaadu", meaning "Six Forests". The region is described in common folklore as lush region flanked by six forests in which is said to have resided a myriad of sages and seers.

North Arcot was split on 30-09-1989 between the regions known as Tiruvannamalai-Sambuvarayar (present-day Tiruvannamalai District) and North Arcot Ambedkar (present-day Vellore District).

Under the British Raj

During the British Raj, the North Arcot district formed a key province in the then Madras Presidency, under the control of the Nawabs of Arcot. The region of Arcot under the control of the Mughal regime in India was under the jagir or fiefdom of the Subah of Arcot. The famous Palar river intersects the region and the portion of Arcot to the north of the Palar came to be known as North Arcot. It is described as an inland district on the eastern side of the Madras Presidency, lying between 12 degrees 20 mins and 13 degrees and 55 mins North and 78 degrees and 14 mins and 79 degrees and 59 minutes E, with an area of 7,386 square miles (19,130 km²).