Gingee Fort was once so difficult to get past that it was called 'Troy of the East' by medieval European travellers. It was constructed by the Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century. This intimidating fortress has three separate citadels and high walls that run for 13 kilometers! Passing through the hands of the Deccani sultanates, the Marathas, the Mughals, the Bundela Rajas, the French and the British, it was eventually abandoned because of malaria outbreaks.