VELLORE

city, northern Tamil Nadu state, southern India. Vellore lies along the Palar River, southwest of Madras. A notable feature of the city is its fort (see Vellore Mutiny). The city played an important role during the Maratha, Muslim, and British wars of the 17th and 18th centuries. Although its cigar and bell-metal manufactures have continued, the city has also developed as a Christian medical centre and contains one of the largest and best-equipped hospitals in India. It has medical and nursing colleges and several other colleges, all affiliated with the University of Madras. Pop. (1991 prelim.) city, 172,467; metropolitan area, 304,713.