the stream they were overturned and drowned, and the river was called Colladam, the place of slaughter, corrupted into Colleroon. There is probably some truth in the tradition. A sacrifice of life at that period would have been considered necessary to ensure the stability of the building.
A full and complete history of India has never been written by a native historian. The history of the country as we know it has been compiled from the records left by Europeans who have visited it since the discovery by the Portuguese of the route to the East. Portuguese, Dutch, French, and English have given accounts in the past of what they saw and heard. As far as is known Trichinopoly flourished from the time of the building of the fort until 1736.
At that date the King died and left the government in the hands of his widow. Her right was disputed by a Hindu prince of the royal blood. The Mohammedan Nawab of Arcot, Chunda Sahib, seized the opportunity given by this internal strife to appear before the city with the secret intention of obtaining possession of it. He gained his end by craft. Tradition says that he made love to the widow and persuaded her to admit him and a body of troops into the town. Having effected an entrance he took no pains to hide his designs. The poor queen was thrown into prison, where she died, and Trichinopoly was occupied by the army of the usurper.
From this moment the city had no peace until the English, under Clive, defeated the French. Even after the power of the French was broken the country round the town was troubled by Haider and his son Tippoo. The Mysoreans overran the Island of Srirungam, plundered the peaceful inhabitants, and burned their villages as late as 1790.
The story of Chunda Sahib is full of tragedy. He
