CONJEEVERAM, a town of British India, in the Chingleput district of Madras, 45 m. W.S.W. of Madras by the South Indian railway. The population (61,376 in 1921) has largely increased in recent years. It is esteemed by the Hindus as one of the holiest places in southern India, ranking among the seven sacred cities of India, and is remarkable for the number of its temples and shrines. Of these the old Jain temple, situated in a hamlet some 2 m. south of the Weavers' quarter of the city (Pillapalaiyam), dates from the time when the Chola power was at its height (12th or i 3th century); the inscriptions contain an almost perfect record of the dynasties who held the country. Older than this temple are the great temples of Vishnu and Siva, which date from the time of the Pallava kings. The latter is remarkable for its lofty towers and the extreme irregularity of its design. It contains fine porches, great tanks, and a hall with 54o carved columns. About 2 m. dis tant, in Little Conjeeveram, is the Vara-daraja-swami Vaishnava temple, also containing a hall of pillars, beautifully carved, and possessing a rich treasury of votive jewels. For a century or more quarrels between the Tangalai and Vadagalai sects, connected with the worship of the temple, as to the form of a symbol on the wall of the inner enclosure have led to much litigation. The general aspect of the city is pleasing, with broad streets lined with fine trees. Its only important industry is the weaving of superior silk and cotton cloths and saris, which supports a large proportion of the population.
Conjeeveram, a British corruption of Kanchipuram (the golden city), is very ancient, having been an influential place before the Christian era, and in its early centuries the capital of the Pallava dynasty. In the 1'1 th century the city was conquered by the Cholas. Later it came to the Muslims, the kings of Vijayanagar, the Mahrattas and the emperor Aurungzeb. It remained in Muslim hands until 1752, when it was captured by Clive.