Raja Desingh, the hero of Gingee ballads

On the way to Tiruvannamalai from Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu, approximately 30 kms from Tindivanam are three hills near the town of Ginjee. They form a triangle and overlook each other, with their peaks commanding the entire country side. They are formed of volcanic rock, more colloquially known as granite, with little vegetation on their spurs. There is another reason for the sparse vegetation. Massive granite stone built fortresses sit atop them. The three hills don Rajagiri, Udayagiri and Krishnagiri fortresses as their hats. Their labyrinthine walls, walkways and ramparts hold artificial ponds, massive granaries, elephant yards, barracks, horse grounds and elegant residences (mahal) in their womb. Well protected as they are from ingress on all directions, these forts present their majesty even to the naked untrained eyes. To the trained and evaluating eyes of Chatrapati Shivaji on his southern campaign, they presented what they hold as their secret – impregnability.

Inscriptions by Archaeological Survey of India at the entrance to the forts claim that it was the Naiks of Vijayanagara in 15-16^th century AD who expanded the fort complexes. Historical evidence found near Gingee however, takes the date back to Vikrama Chola (1118-1135 AD) of the Later Cholas. The forts have changed hands from Cholas to Kurumbas, Vijayanagara Naiks, Bijapur Sultans, Marathas, Nawab of Arcot, French, Hyder Ali and finally to the British. It is obvious that the fort complexes grew over time in keeping with the strategic perception of each holder. In the early 18^th century however, Gingee forts lost their preeminence for the battles for the control of Deccan and the Nawab of Arcot territories were fought elsewhere. However, one enduring story of the forts have remained in the ballads and plays of Tamil people – the story of its most famous king, Raja Tej Singh or more popularly, Raja Desingh.

Desingu, Desingh aka Tej Singh was the son of Swarup Singh, a Bundela Rajput from Orchcha (near Agra). In recognition of the military services of the Rajput chieftain, Aurangzeb is believed to have conferred the mansabdari and khiladari (land grants with custody of the forts) at Gingee in 1700 AD. In return, Swarup Singh was to pay a huge tribute to the Emperor through the Emperor’s deputy in the South, Nawab of Arcot. However, in 1714 AD Swarup Singh died of natural causes. Nawab Sadatullah Khan of Arcot claimed a hefty tribute as overdue. The headless fort was unable to meet the demand. The Nawab in turn moved his huge army to Gingee. Hearing his father’s death, Tej Singh hastened to Gingee from Bundelkhand. He hastily mobilized an army to face the Nawab. While his tiny army was routed and he himself was killed at a young age of 22, Tej Singh’s valour in the face of the mighty Nawab became the inspiration for Tamil ballads that are sung even today at Gingee.

It is interesting that a young Bundela chieftain, whose native lands lay 2000 kms from Gingee became the soul of the ballads of Tamil Nadu through his valour in Tamil lands. The forts of Gingee stand mute today, witness to the saga of valour and history of the Deccan. The famous Tamil idol, MGR had acted as Raja Desinghu in a superhit movie of 1960 by the same title. It is also unique to hear of the ballads in Telugu on Raja Desingh, though in strict terms Tamil and Telugu lands were parts of composite kingdoms for many centuries.