city, northern Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nādu) state, southern India. Vellore lies along the Palar River, southwest of Chennai (Madras). A notable feature of the city is its fort, the site of the Vellore Mutiny in May 1806. 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 (Madras, University of). Pop. (2001) city, 177,230; urban agglom., 386,746.