History of Salem, Tamil Nadu

Salem is fifth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It is major commercial center known for steel and mangos.[1][2]


History overview

Salem City is in region of Kongu Nadu, which is western Tamil Nadu. It is the most important city in Tamil Nadu. Before dividing Dharmapuri district from Salem, Salem district is the biggest district in Tamil Nadu and area covered 7,530 km² along with today's Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Namakkal districts. And most important thing is Salem is the first formed district in India on 4 April 1792 which is a part of Madras state. And Salem is the fourth urbanized city in Tamil Nadu.[3]

Salem district has been a part of Kongunadu since ancient times. Prior to that Adiyaman came from the ruling region. The history of Salem district is ancient. Axes, hammers, pots, abrasives, bracelets etc. used by the Neolithic man have been found here in the area of Servarayan, Kalrayan, Wattalamalai, Melagiri, Kuttirayan hill etc. There have been countless mediators. The district was ruled by Dharmapuri Adhyamans, Cholas, Kannadas, Nayaks, Tipu Sultan and the British.

The hill in this town was ruled by Cheran and became the Servarayan hill; It is also said that 'Cheralam' became 'Salem'. Ettapur Cheppadu refers to this place as "Saliya Cheramandal". Hence, the name Cheralam was changed over time to Salem.

An agreement was reached between the British East India Company and Tipu Sultan following the war of 1792. Based on this, the district of 'Paramahall and Salem' was formed in 1792 with areas derived from Tipu Sultan. Most of the Dharmapuri district is divided into Baramahal (12 princely states) and Baramahal district with Salem district as its capital and Talakad district with Salem as its capital. In 1801 the two were merged. It was later renamed the Salem District in 1808 when E. R. Hargrave was the head of the district administration. The district capital was shifted from Dharmapuri to Salem in 1830. Although the capital was relocated to Hosur for a number of consecutive years, in 1860 the head office was relocated back to Salem. In 1965, the northern part of the Servarayan Hills was separated from Salem and the Dharmapuri district was newly formed. Namakkal district was formed in May 1996 from Salem district.

3rd Century BC to 18th Century AD

3rd Century BC

In 3rd century BC, Salem was ruled by Bogar, a notable Tamil Sidhar. During this period Buddhism and Jainism had arrived to Salem.[4]

1st Century AD

Silver coins of Roman emperor Tiberius Gladys Nero have been discovered in Salem dating to this period, showing the existence of the culturally and economically advanced community in Salem at the beginning of the Christian era.

2nd and 4th Century AD

In 2nd Century AD Salem was ruled by Pandyan dynasty, while Pandiyan Nedunchezhiyan Kanaikal Irumporai rules KolliMalai. And in 4th Century AD the rise of Pallava Dynasty in Salem.

6th and 7th Century AD

This was period of Mahendravarma Pallava and during this period Saivite principles are raised and in 7th Century AD Jainism and Buddhism are weakened in the period of NarashimaVarma Pallava.

8th and 9th Century AD

In 8th century Pandyan dynasty ruled Salem after this in 9th century again Pallavas started rule Salem and during Pallava Dynasty SaivaSamayam getting raised and fading of Jainism and Buddhism.[5]

10th Century AD

Chozha dynasty ruled Salem and declined Pallavas in 10th and 11th Century AD.

12th Century AD

Hoysala started rule a part of Salem while parts of Salem remained ruled by Pandyan dynasty.

14th Century AD

16th Century AD

In this Period Salem cames under Madurai Nayakars and the part of Salem including Artur was ruled by Emperor Krishnadheva Raya.

18th Century AD

Salem is ruled by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. After this Salem Taking over by British, in 1772 First collector for Salem had appointed.[6]

British Colonial Period 1772–1947

In 1772 British government take over the Salem city from Madurai Nayakars and in the Salem year British government appointed first collector for Salem district which includes today's Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Namakkal districts.[7][8] In 1856 New Revenue Survey taken; The settlement department was established. The end of the rule of the company and The British crown took charge. In 1860 Salem city is as a capital of the district. In 1862 Salem Central Jail was built. This was the first prision to bulit in Tamil Nadu. The prison was built in 1934 to house teenagers. The area of this prison is 113.19 acres. Approved Accommodation 1431. This Prison is classified as a Special Prison for Prisoners of Prison and Prison of Prisoners. The architectural design of this prison is circular in shape like lotus petals and all the cells face a focal point inwards. During British government Salem faces lots of famine, in 1886–1887 severe famine in Salem and in 1875 cholera epidemic has spread. 1876–1878 Salem faces great famine and in 1891–1892 Salem faces another famine, in 1896–1897 Salem faces its last famine of the century.

Post-independence (1947–present)

In 1947 Salem is in the part of free independent India, in 1951 exchange of the villages took place between Mysore and Madras state.[9][10] In 1961 sankakiri taluk was formed from Tiruchengode Taluk, in 1965 Salem is bifurcated into Salem and Dharmapuri districts. And Salem constituted with eight taluks include Salem ,Attur, Yercaud, Omalur ,Sankari, Tiruchengode, Rasipuram and Namakkal. And Dharmapuri district constituted with 4 taluks which is Hosur, Krishnagiri ,Harur and Dharmapuri. In 1966 Mettur taluk was formed from Omalur taluk, in 1989 Paramathi Velur taluk was newly created.

In 1996 Namakkal district is created from Salem, and Salem constituted with 8 taluks which is Salem, Yercaud, Attur, Omalur, Mettur, Sankari, Gangavalli, and Idappadi and Namakkal district constituted with Namakkal, Tiruchengode, Rasipuram and Paramathi-Velur taluks. After all bifurcation Attur division and Vazhapadi taluk is formed in 1998, In December 2013 Salem taluk is divided into Salem, Salem west and Salem South taluks. In January 2015 Attur taluk was divided into Attur and Pethanaickenpalayam taluk. In January 2016 Omalur taluk was divided into Omalur and Kadayampatti taluks.

See also

References
  1. "History of Salem, Rulers of Salem, Ancient History Salem". www.salemonline.in. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  2. "History | Salem District, Government of Tamil Nadu | India". Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  3. "History of Salem". Yatra.com.
  4. "Salem | India". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  5. "About Salem – Trendo 2018". estn.co.in. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  6. Saravanan, S. p (2016-04-10). "Salem's history on a map". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  7. "ITI – Salem | History". skilltraining.tn.gov.in. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  8. "History Of Salem, Places & Temples in Salem, Hills Info , Yercaud". www.tamilselvi.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  9. "Districts Details | Tamil Nadu Government Portal". www.tn.gov.in. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  10. Bronze |Points: 60 |, Posted Date: 14 Jul 2012 |Updated: 17-May-2020 |Category: Tamil Nadu |Author: kirtika |Member Level (2012-07-14). "Salem,Tamilnadu- Everything you want to know about-History, Weather, tourist places and how to reach". Techulator. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
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