DINDIGUL

city, Tamil Nadu state, southeastern India. Situated between the Palni and Sirumalai hills, it is a road transport hub. Its name, derived from the words tintu kal (pillow rock), refers to the bare hill dominating the city. The fortress, built on the hill during the Vijayanagar era (13361565), was used in Hindu, Muslim, and British wars from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The contemporary city contains large-scale cotton spinning and weaving mills, as well as such handicraft industries as silk weaving and the manufacture of jewelry and cigars. Dindigul houses two liberal arts colleges, affiliated to Madurai-Kamaraj University. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 182,293.