ARCOT, a city of Hindostan, and formerly the capital of the Carnatic, situated on the south side of the river Palar, which has a channel half a mile in breadth; but, except during the season of the rains, is nearly dry. The town is extensive, and is built round a large fort, of which the principal defences were destroyed more than twenty years ago, and its area is now under cultivation. The town is defended from the inundations of the river when it is swollen by the rains by the remaining ramparts of the fort, which on that side are kept in good repair. It is inclosed by walls, and contains the former palace of the nabobs of Arcot, which, with the exception of a gateway still entire, is in ruins; a handsome Mahometan mosque, and four or five other well-built religious edifices of the Mahometans, and numerous tombs. Arcot is supposed to have been the capital of the Sore, or the Soramundalum of Ptolemy, whence by an easy derivation Coromandel; but the present town is entirely of modern date. The Mogul armies, after they had captured Gingee, found the situation so unhealthy that they were forced to remove to the plains of Arcot, and began to build the present town about the year 1716. The nabob of Arcot, Anwanud Deen, being killed in battle in 1749, the place was taken by his competitor, who was supported by the French. In 1751 it was retaken by Colonel Clive with 500 troops, from a garrison of 1100 men; and here that gallant soldier maintained himself for fifty days against the attacks of the French and their Indian allies, who were finally compelled to raise the siege. It was afterwards taken by the French, but was recaptured in 1760 by Colonel Coote, after the battle of Wandewash. Hyder Ali gained possession of it for a time after he had defeated the British under Colonel Baillie in 1780. Travelling distance, 217 miles E. of Seringapatam, 73 W. of Madras, 1070 S. W. of Calcutta, and 1277 S. of Delhi. Long. 79. 22. E. Lat. 12. 52. N.