Chengalpattu, formerly known as Chingleput, is located on the GST Road and southwest of Kanchipuram in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. The British Government called this whole district Chingleput; now it is named Kanchipuram District. Chengalpattu is the 2nd largest town in the district, after Kanchipuram. Chengalpattu Railway Station, generally known as CGL, is one of the major railway junctions of the Southern Railway and is a nationally important halt. It is the headquarters of the Chengalpattu Taluk of the district and is 55 kilometres (34 mi) southwest of the state capital, Chennai and 22 km Away from Chennai City Entrance Gateway Vandalur on the National Highway 45. Chengalpattu Government Hospital is a landmark and the largest government hospital in this district. The Hospital has a medical college. The town has the principal court of the district, and Dr. Ambedhkar Law College. The city is believed to have been named after a lily called 'chenkazhuneer poo' which is found aplenty in the region. It is on the Palar River about 56 km southwest of Chennai city (Madras). Chengalpattu is an important commercial center. It has a medical college and other colleges affiliated with the University of Madras. In 2011, the town had a population of 62,579. As of now the current population is up to 65,695 Chengalpattu was formerly a capital of the kings of Vijayanagara, after their defeat by the Deccan sultanates at Battle of Talikota in 1565. In 1639 a local governor or nayak, subject to these kings, granted a piece of coastal land to the British East India Company where Fort St George now stands, which became the nucleus of the city of Madras. The fortress at Chengalpattu, built by the Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century, was of strategic importance, owing to its swampy surroundings and the lake that flanked its side. Chengalpattu was taken by the French in 1751 and was retaken in 1752 by Robert Clive, after which it proved of great strategic advantage to the British, especially when Lally failed to capture the fortress in his advance on Madras. During the wars of the British with Hyder Ali of Mysore, it withstood his assault and afforded a refuge to the nearby residents. In 1780, after the defeat of Colonel W Baillie, the army of Sir Hector Munro took refuge there. By 1900 the town was noted for its manufacture of pottery and was a local market center, especially of the rice trade. The surrounding district was home to cotton and silk weaving, indigo dyeing, tanneries, and a cigar factory, and extensive salt manufacturing took place along the coast. Today Chengalpattu has developed as a touristic spot for many foreign travellers on their way to Mamallapuram, Thirukazhukundram, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and Kanchipuram, [Kraikali Bird Sanctuary]. The boat house established by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) in the Kolavai lake which is alongside the NH 45 highway has turned into a place where people can relax with their families on weekends. The monsoon rains flooded the gates of the lake in December 2005 due to which the TTDC boat club operation has been stopped. It also serves as a bridge connecting all nearby districts with the renowned tourist places like Mahabalipuram, Muttukadu, theme parks on East Coast Road (ECR), Thirukazhukundram, town. Kolavai Lake is the second largest lake in the Kanchipuram District after Madhuranthagam Lake. Kolavai Lake is well known for its perennial nature: There are no records of going dry in summers. It even supplies water to industries in Chennai when the lakes in Chennai go dry. The lake is now being polluted due to the rapid urbanisation of Chengalpattu. The early morning sunrise and the moon hovering above the lake over its waters in the night are scenic to the eyes. The lake's beauty can be experienced by taking a train from the Chengalpattu station to Paranur.