Sadras Fort

The Dutch established a trading factory at Sadras in 1648, exporting muslin, edible oils, and pearls; a fort eventually rose around it and, when completed in 1749, stood as a powerful Dutch outpost positioned between British Madras and French Pondicherry. The fort includes a cemetery with beautifully decorated graves dating between 1620 and 1769, and the bastions, bell tower, and arched entrance remain largely intact. Now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, it is an offbeat and largely uncrowded stop for history enthusiasts.