bank of the Vasista river. It dates from 921 and was known as Milattu and Kutratthu Brahmadheyam and Malaiyaman Attur. It came to be known as Attur Ananthagiri during the Mysore rule beginning in 1689,. The name was shortened to Attur at end of the 18th Century. It was formed part of Hyder domines till 1768. Then it surrendered to Mr. Wood of East India Company. Again Hyder regained it from that company. After that company won a decisive victory in the 3rd Mysore was against Thippusultan. The fort war garrisoned in 1792 by the 23rd Madras battalion of the company under the command of captain compbell. The fort remained so until 1854 when it ceased to be military station. Attur fort is now ruined stone fort and situated on the northern bank of the Vasista River occupying an area of 62 acres. It is constructed by a local palayakarar, C. Lakshmana Nayakan (17th Century). Until recently it was believed to have been built up the founder of the Catti Mudali Dynasty who did built the Siva and Vishnu temples in the fort. The fort walls (about 30 feet height and 15 feet wide at the top) were reverted by wedge shaped cut-stones fitted without mortar. The stones for the walls were reportedly quarried from the hillock, Kalladithankundru (quarry hill). The fort was guarded by the river and east and by moats on other side. The large valuated chamber inside the fort is believed to have been audience hall during the Gatt regime. The spacious and well ventilated pool-house, built the pleasure of the royal family, obtained its water from the river through an ingeniously constructed and strongly defended water gate. Demographics According to the 2011 census, the taluk of Attur had a population of 429,296 with 215,626 males and 213,670 females. There were 991 women for every 1000 men. The taluk had a literacy rate of 66.15. Child population in the age group below 6 was 21,751 Males and 19,571 Females. Economic Base The economy of the town also depends on agriculture and allied activities. Attur is the main exporting center next to Trichengode for Betel leaves to North Indian cities besides Tamil Nadu Towns. There are more than fifteen betel mandies located within the Attur Town in addition to twenty more finding place around the town. About 12 hectares. of agricultural land is under betel leaves cultivation within