My Own Coimbatore

Coimbatore is now overtaking Madurai as the second largest city in Tamilnadu, with a population of more than 23 lakhs. There are more than 30,000 tiny small, medium and large industries and textile mills. The city is known for its entrepreneurship of its residents. The Climate is comfortable round the year. The city is situated on the banks of the river Noyyal.

Coimbatore existed even prior to the 2nd Century AD as a small tribal village capital called Kongunad until it was brought under Chola control in the 2nd or 3rd Century AD by Karikalan, the first of the early Cholas.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 the tribes, the most predominant among them being the Kosars who are reported to have had their headquaeters 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 Rastrakutas the Region fell in to the hands of the cholas who were in prominence at the time of Raja Raja Chola. On the decline of Cholas the Kongun territory was occupied by the Chalukyas and then by the Pandyas and the cysalas.

Due to internal strife in the Pandyas 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 Nayaks.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, consequents 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 1840, the areas were merged into one and brought under one District Collector. During the 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, Sathyamangalam and Udumalaipettai. The name of Sathyamangalam 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 village 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, Sathyamangalam sub-taluk was upgraded as a full fledged taluk.

Again in 1979, Perundurai sub-taluk of Erode and Mettupalayam 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, the following six taluks were bifurcated from then Coimbatore district to from Erode district. Bhavani, Gopichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam, Erode, Perundurai and Dharapuram. This bifurcation considerably reduced the size of the district. It has only nine taluks now, viz. Pollachi, Coimbatore (North), Avanashi, Palladam, Udumalpettai, Tirupur, Valparai, Coimbatore (South) and Mettupalayam.

Coimbatore is also famous for the manufacture of motor pump sets and varied engineering goods, due to which it has earned the title “Detroit of the South”.The Development of Hydroelectricity from the Pykara falls in the 1930s led to a cotton boom in Coimbatore.

The result has been a strong economy and a reputation as one of the greatest industrial cities in South India. According to ancient manuscripts, Coimbatore’s history can be traced to the Irula tribal chief Kovan and his clan who were it’s earliest settlers and the founders of “Kovanpatti” a part of Kongunadu. Years later, the surrounding forests were cleared, and the founder of “Kovanpatti” a part of kongunadu. Years later, the surrounding forests were cleared, and a new village was formed called “Kovanputhur”, which over the years came to be known as “Coimbatore”.

In spite of it’s prominence as a busting industrial city, Coimbatore still remains one of the most pollution free cities in India. Covering an area of 23.5 square Kilometers, the city houses some of the biggest names in Indian Industry. The major industries include textiles, textile machinery, automobile spares,motors, electronics, steel and aluminium foundries. Tirupur – a neighbouring town has carves a niche for itself in the garments market. Agriculture however remains the major occupation.

The rich fertile soil and tropical climate is excellent for the growth of millet, paddy, cotton, tea, oil seeds and tobacco. The city is also known for it’s educational institutions. Coimbatore Agricultural University is renowned as one of the best colleges of it’s industrial and technological growth, traditions and age old customs are still held in high esteem. The temples bear witness to the religiousness and love of art and architecture of the people. There are also a number of places of tourist intrest around Coimbatore. Ootacamund (ooty for short), is one of the most popular tourist spots in India.

To go in and around Coimbatore in 2010 would be a lot more interesting than in was even 5 years back. The Mall culture arrived only recently in the city with the opening of Brookfields on BrookeBond Road. Now of course, there are ones coming up on every major road. Then there are theme parks like Black Thunder in the same district, which was once Asia's largest water theme park. Kovai Kondattam is closer to the city and on the way to Siruvani. Maharaja World opened few years ago, with a theme park, and a Multiplex. Siruvani dam is the main water resource for the city, along with projects like the Atthikadavu and Bhavani. The Kovai Kuttralam falls is the nearest waterfall to the city and is a famous recreation spot for the city-dwellers. There is also an artificial lake maintained by the Corporation on the Trichy Road with boating facilities. Coimbatore is also now home to branded showrooms, especially for the factory outlets of apparels because most are manufactured in units within the city. Hence Coimbatore is also called the Manchester of India. The famous hospitals here include Kovai Medical Centre & Hospital , the PSG Hospitals, KG Hospital, G Kuppusamy Memorial Hospital, Kurinchi Hospital and Aravind Eye hospital on Avinashi Road, Ganga Hospital on Mettupalayam road, and Vasan Eye care which has adopted this city as it's major care initiative. Premium schools and Colleges abound in this district from decades, and thus this region has been an education centre too. Institutions like PSG, Ramakrishna, Park, Kumaraguru, Govt Coll of Tech, Forest College, Coimbatore Institute of tech, and universities like Karunya, Bharathiar, Agriculatural Univ, Anna Univ, and Avinashilingam make this place a student's home.

This city is extrememly cosmopolitan. Each area has a major community centered in it. There is a strong North Indian, Malayalee and North East community, along with minorities like Anglo Indians that enjoy the climate and hustle of the city together.

Coimbatore witnessed a transition after the Worldwide Tamil Conference in July 2010. Since then the city has been upgraded to near-international standards with rubber paved roads, underwater sewerage systems, pedestrian sidewalks, and a number of communal parks all over the city. We must not forget Coddissia, which is among the largest Exhibition halls in India.

So here you have it, one of India's loveliest, homeliest, and progressive cities. For those of you who have to call yourselves it's guests, do visit and enjoy... For those of you who call it home.. There are some things that we need to do to improve it, and retain it's charm for posterity. I call upon all lovers of Coimbatore to stand for this piece of history, and take it forward strongly into the unseen future.

JAI COIMBATORE!!