COIMBATORE

3.COIMBATORE
Key Facts:
Textile capital of South India or the Manchester of the South.
situated on the banks of the river Noyyal.
Second largest city of the state(Area)

CONTENT	TOTAL	MALE	FEMALE
POPULATION-2011	3472578	1735362	1737216
Literacy Rate	84.31	89.49	79.16
Number of Literates	2678637	1418291	1260346
Population in age group 0-6	295584	150580	145004

Percent to total population of the State	4.81
Percentage Decadal Variation	19.06
Decadal Growth Rate	18.46
Rank(Population Size)	6
Population Density per sq.km.	748
Rank(Population Density)	6
Sex- Ratio	1001
Rank(Sex-Ratio)	15

The third largest city of the state, Coimbatore,is one of the most industrialized cities in Tamil Nadu, known as the textile capital of South India or the Manchester of the South, the city is situated on the banks of the river Noyyal, Coimbatore existed even prior to the 2nd or 3rd century AD by Karikalan, the first of the early Cholas. Among its other great rulers were Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Pandyas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara kings. When Kongunadu fell to the British along with the rest of the state, its name was changed to Coimbatore and it is by this name that it is known today, except in Tamil, in which it is called Kovai.

In the rain shadow region of the Western ghats, Coimbatore enjoys a very pleasant climate all the year round, aided by the fresh breeze that flows through the 25 kms long Palakkad gap. The rich black soil of the region has contributed to Coimbatore's flourishing agriculture industry and, it is in fact the successful growth of cotton that served as a foundation for the establishment of its famous textile industry. The first textile mills came as far back as 1888 but there are now over a hundred mills. The result has been a strong economy and a reputation as one of the greatest industrial cities in South India.

There are more than 25,000 small, medium, large sale industries and textile mill. Coimbatore is also famous for the manufacture of motor pump sets and varied engineering goods. The development of Hydro electricity from the Pykara Falls in the 1930 led to a cotton boom in Coimbatore.

Coimbatore serves as an entry and exit point to neighbouring Kerala and the ever popular hill station of Udhagamandalam (Ooty). It is the disembarking point for those who want to take the Mountain train that runs from Mettupalayam, just 35 kms from Coimbatore. There are also regular bus services from Coimbatore to Ooty.

HISTORY

Originally Coimbatore district formed part of the Kongu country, the history of which dates back to the Sangam age. It is found that in early days the area was inhabited by tribes, the most predominant among them being the Kosars who are reported to have had their headquarters at Kosampathur which probably later became the present Coimbatore. However, tribal predominance did not last long as they were over-run by the Rashtra Kutas. From Rashtrakutas the region fell into the hands of the Cholas who were in prominence at the time of Raja Raja Chola. On the decline of Cholas the Kongu territory was occupied by the Chalukyas and then by the Pandyas and the cysalas. Due to internal strife in the Pandyan kingdom the Muslim rulers from Delhi happened to interfere. Thus the area fell into the hands of Madurai Sultanate from whom the Vijayanagar rulers wrestled for the region during 1377-78 after overthrowing the Madurai Sultanate. For a few years the area remained under independent control of MaduraiNayaks. During the period of Muthu Veerappa Nayak and later during the period of Tirumal Nayak internal strife and intermittent wars ruined the kingdom. As a consequence during the period of Tirumal Nayak, the Kongu region fell into the hands of the Mysore rulers from whom hyder Ali took over the area. However, consequent on the fall of Tippu Sultan of Mysore in 1799, the Kongu region came to be ceded to the East India Company by the Maharaja of Mysore who was restored to power by the East India Company after defeating Tippu Sultan. From then till 1947 when India attained Independence, the region remained under British control who initiated systematic revenue administration in the area. To begin with, Coimbatore was in two parts for purposes of revenue administration. In 1804, the areas were merged into one and brought under one District Collector.During that time, Mr.H.S.GREAME,[I/C] from 20/10/1803 to 20/01/1805 was the Collector. In 1868, the Nilgiris District was bifurcated from the Coimbatore District. At the opening of the present century there were ten taluks in the district viz., Bhavani, Coimbatore, Dharapuram, Erode, Karur, Kollegal, Palladam, Pollachi, Satyamangalam and Udumalaipettai. The name of Satyamangalam taluk was subsequently changed as Gopichettipalaiyam. Avinashi taluk was formed in the year Karur taluk happened to be transferred to Tiruchirappalli district. In 1927, some villages of Bhavani taluk together with a few villages from Salem district were constituted into Mettur Area but very soon i.e. in 1929, this area was transferred to Salem district. Again in the year 1956 considerable area of the district, viz., the whole of Kollegal taluk was transferred to Mysore State as part of the States Re-organisation Scheme. In 1975, Satyamangalam sub-taluk was upgraded as a full fledged taluk. Again in 1979, Perundurai sub-taluk of Erode and Mettuppalaiyam sub-taluk of Avanashi were also upgraded into independent taluks. Thus the total number of taluks in the district came to twelve. This, however, did not last long. In the same year (1979) six taluks were bifurcated from the district to constitute a new district viz., Erode. Under G.O. Ms. No. 1917 Revenue dt. 31-8-79, Government of Tamil Nadu the following six taluks were bifurcated from the then Coimbatore district to form Erode district. Bhavani, Gopichettipalaiyam, Satyamangalam, Erode, Perundurai and Dharapuram. That time Coimbatore contains  nine taluks before bifurication of Tiruppur as a seperate District viz.  Coimbatore(North), Coimbatore(South), Mettuppalayam, Avanashi, Palladam,Tirupur, Pollachi, Udumalpettai  and Valparai. As per G.O.Ms. No. 617, 618 Revenue dt 24.10.2008, Government of Tamil Nadu the four taluks from Coimbatore District (i.e. Tiruppur, Udumalpet, Palladam and Avinashi(Part)) and three taluks from Erode districts (i.e.Dharapuram, Kangeyam and Perundurai (Part)) were bifurcated and formed another new District as Tiruppur District. Now Coimbatore District has only two revenue divisions of Coimbatore and Pollachi and contains six taluks namely Coimbatore(North), Coimbatore(South), Mettupalayam, Sulur, Pollachi and Valparai. This bifurcation considerably reduced the size of the present Coimbatore district. Tourist Places 1. Aliyar Dam, Near Pollachi. 2. Monkey Falls, Aliyar 3. Salim Ali Ornithology Centre, Anaikatty. 4. Kovai Kutralum, Siruvani Hills. 5. Siruvani Dam, Near wallaiyar. 6. Black Thunder (Water Sports), 7. Kovai Kondattam 8. Valparai Hill Station. 9. Cholayar Dam, Valparai. 10. Kadamparai Power House, Valparai 11. Botanical Garden Tamilnadu Agricultural University  12. Horticulture Farms, Kallar, Near Mettupalayam. 13. Vaitheki Falls, Narasi Palayam 14. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park (Top  Slip), Pollachi 15. V.O.C Park, Coimbatore 16. Karamadai Range Forest - Pilloor Dam

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