Erode district
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Erode district is one of the 38 districts in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was the largest district by area in the state before the formation of Tirupur district in 2009 and is the third largest by area, as of 2024. The headquarters of the district is Erode. The district is divided into two revenue divisions, Erode and Gobichettipalayam, and is further subdivided into 10 taluks.
The district is landlocked and lies towards the middle of the Indian peninsula and is bordered by the state of Karnataka to the north. The Eastern Ghats pass through the north-western part of the district, and the Western Ghats straddles the western edge. The district is watered by the Kaveri River which meets its major tributary Bhavani in the district. It covers an area of Template:Cvt, and had a population of 2,251,744 as per the 2011 census. The major spoken language is Kongu Tamil, a dialect of Tamil. Hinduism is the major religion with nearly 94% adherents.
Archeological evidence from Kodumanal indicate that the region was ruled by the Cheras during the Sangam period (2nd century BCE to third century CE) and it formed part of an ancient Roman trade route. The region was ruled by the Pandyas before the medieval Cholas conquered it in the tenth century. The region was ruled by Vijayanagara Empire in the fifteenth century followed by the Nayaks who introduced the Palayakkarar system. In the later part of the eighteenth century, the region came under the Kingdom of Mysore and after the Anglo-Mysore Wars, the British East India Company annexed the region to the Madras Presidency in 1799. The region played a prominent role in the Second Polygar War (1801) when it was the area of operations of Dheeran Chinnamalai. The district was part of the erstwhile Coimbatore district and came into existence on 17 September 1979.
The economy of the district is based predominantly on agriculture and textiles. The district is the top turmeric producer in Tamil Nadu, making up 43% of statewide production and is also a major producer of plantain, coconuts and white silk. The district is known for handloom and ready-made textile products. Erode Turmeric and Bhavani Jamakkalam are recognized Geographical Indications.
History
Archaeological excavations from Kodumanal on the banks of the Noyyal River show traces of civilization from 4th century BCE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Kodumanal is mentioned in Patiṟṟuppattu literature from the first century CE as a thriving industrial and commercial center.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The evidence indicates that the region was ruled by the Cheras during the Sangam period (2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE) and it formed part of an ancient Roman trade route.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The region came under the influence of the Pandyas during the reign of Arikesari Maravarman in the seventh century CE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Later, the region was ruled by various dynasties such as Rashtrakutas and Western Gangas.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The medieval Cholas conquered the Kongu Nadu in the 10th century CE.<ref name="Ali">Template:Cite journal</ref> While the region was directly under the control of the Imperial Cholas till 1064 CE, the Kongu Cholas who were probably vassals or viceroys of the Cholas, ruled the region autonomously later starting.<ref name="Ali"/> These rulers bore the title Konattar and adopted Chola titles and surnames.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In the 13th century CE, after the death of Vikrama Chola II, the Pandyas under Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I annexed the region.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The rule of the Pandyas came to an end with the death of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I in 1318 CE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Hoysalas ruled the region for sometime later with Vira Someshwara having a matrimonial alliance with both Pandyas and Cholas. After the defeat of Veera Ballala III of the Hoysalas, the region came under the control of the Vijayanagara Empire.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
After the Vijayanagara empire fell in 1646, the region was ruled by various Nayak governors of the erstwhile Vijayanagara empire who declared independence. They introduced the Palayakkarar system under which the region was divided into 24 Palayams(towns).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the later part of the 18th century, the region came under the Kingdom of Mysore and after the Anglo-Mysore Wars, the British East India Company annexed the region to the Madras Presidency in 1799.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The region played a prominent role in the Second Polygar War (1801) when it was the area of operations of Dheeran Chinnamalai.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later, the British Empire took control of the region from the British East India Company in 1857.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> After Indian Independence in 1947, the region was part of the Madras State, which later became Tamil Nadu.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The district was part of the erstwhile Coimbatore district and came into existence on 17 September 1979.<ref name="ED"/>
Geography
The district is landlocked, and is situated roughly at the center of the Indian Peninsula between latitude 10 36" and 11 58" north and between longitude 76 49" and 77 58" east. It is bordered by Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka in the north. To the east, across the Kaveri River, lies Salem and Namakkal districts. It is bordered by Karur district in the southeast, Tirupur district in the south with Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts in to the west.<ref name="ED1">Template:Cite web</ref>
The topography of the district consists of plains sloping from rom north east to south west. The Eastern Ghats run through the north-western part of the district, and is straddled by the Western Ghats in the west, with the mountain ranges separated by the Moyar River.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The region comprises the high altitude regions of the north sloping gently towards a long undulating plain in the south. Bhavani River cuts the district roughly in the middle, flowing from west to east. It enters the district at Sathyamangalam, crossing Gobichettipalayam taluk before joining the Kaveri River flowing from the north, near the eastern edge at Bhavani.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The river feeds the Bhavanisagar reservoir and Kodiveri Dam are major dams, which along with a canal system provide irrigation and drainage for the district.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The other major tributaries of the Kaveri including the Noyyal and Amaravati, emerge from the mountains in the west.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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The region has a tropical climate and the climate is characterized by dry weather throughout the year, except during the monsoons. The region depends on monsoons for rainfall. In March, the temperature begins to rise, which persists until the end of May, with the highest temperatures recorded during the period.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The average maximum temperature is Template:Cvt and the average minimum temperature is Template:Cvt. The south-west monsoon winds passing through the Palghat gap loses most of its moisture when reaching the district and the region receives about Template:Cvt of rainfall in the months from June to August from the south-west monsoon.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Horti"/> After a warm and foggy September, the north-east monsoon starts from October, lasting until early November.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The district gets most of its rainfall from the north-east monsoon, averaging about Template:Cvt annually. The district gets a total average annual rainfall of Template:Cvt.<ref name="Horti"/>
The major soil types found here are loamy soil and clay soil.<ref name="Horti"/> The northern part of the district incorporating parts of Sathyamangalam and Gobichettipalayam taluks form the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is the largest protected area in Tamil Nadu.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The region has one of the largest Indian Elephant and Bengal Tiger populations in the country.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Demographics
Template:Historical populations
According to the 2011 census, Erode District had a population of 2,251,744 with a sex-ratio of 993 females for every 1,000 males, above the national average of 929.<ref name="Census">Template:Cite report</ref> A total of 195,213 were under the age of six, constituting 99,943 males and 95,270 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 16.41% and 0.97% of the population, respectively. The literacy rate of the district was 66.29%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The district had a total of 658,071 households. There were 1,195,773 workers: 173,376 cultivators, 331,414 main agricultural labourers, 48,960 in household industries, 557,301 other workers, 84,722 marginal workers, 38,798 marginal agricultural labourers, 5,362 marginal workers in household industries, 4,794 marginal cultivators and 35,768 other marginal workers.<ref name="Census"/>
As per the 2011 census, 81.76% of the population spoke Tamil, 10.32% Telugu, 5.40% Kannada and 1.14% Urdu as their first language.<ref name="language">Template:Cite report</ref> Kongu Tamil (also called Kangee or Kongalam), a dialect, is predominantly spoken in the district.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> As per the census, Hinduism was the predominant religion with nearly 94% adherents.<ref name="religion"/>
Administration and politics
Administration
The district is headquartered at Erode and is divided into two revenue divisions, Erode and Gobichettipalayam.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is further subdivided into 10 taluks for administrative purposes.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Revenue division | Taluks |
|---|---|
| Erode | Template:Bullet list |
| Gobichettipalayam | Template:Bullet list |
The district has one municipal corporation (Erode), one selection grade municipality (Gobichettipalayam), one first grade municipality (Sathyamangalam), two second grade municipalities (Bhavani and Punjai Puliampatti).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In January 2025, the Government of Tamil Nadu announced the formation of two new municipalities of Kavindapadi and Perundurai.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> There are 39 town panchayats in the district.Template:Efn<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Law and order
The Tamil Nadu Police, operates under the Home ministry of the Government of Tamil Nadu and is responsible for maintaining law and order in the district. It is headed by Superintendent of Police and operates 37 police stations spread across five geographical sub-divisions: Erode Town, Erode Rural, Bhavani, Gobichettipalayam and Sathyamangalam.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> The judicial system with Madras High Court as the appellate authority, operates a district magistrate court at Erode with jurisdictional magistrate courts at Erode, Gobichettipalayam and Bhavani.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Politics
Parts of the district fall under three Parliamentary Constituencies: Erode, Nilgiris and Tiruppur. The district consists of eight assembly constituencies of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly: Anthiyur, Bhavani, Bhavani Sagar, Erode East, Erode West, Gobichettipalayam, Modakurichi and Perundurai.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Economy
Agriculture is the major contributor to the economy of the district. Paddy, plantain, silk, cotton, turmeric, coconut and sugarcane are the major agricultural crops. The district is the top turmeric producer in Tamil Nadu, making up 43% of statewide production.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Erode is an important market centre for turmeric, being known as "Turmeric City" and Erode Turmeric is a recognized Geographical Indication.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The district is also the leading producer of plantain, coconuts and white silk in Tamil Nadu.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Gobichettipalayam is a major center for copra and plantain trading and is one of the leading producers of silk cocoon in the country, with one of the country's first automated silk reeling units located here.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Other major horticultural crops include fruits, vegetables, tapioca and yam, spices, betel vine and cocoa and flowers like rose, jasmine and marigold.<ref name="Horti">Template:Cite web</ref>
The district is one of the most industrialized districts in the state with more than 23,000 small scale industries and 1,200 factories.<ref name="Indus"/> Textiles is the other major industry in the district. The district is known for its handloom textile products and ready-made garments. In 2005, Bhavani Jamakkalam was registered as a Geographical Indication.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> There are nearly 49,000 handloom and 39,000 powerlooms operating in the district with the sector employing more than 45,000 people. There are about 13 co-operative societies involved in the production and marketing of textiles.<ref name="Indus"/>
Other major industries include oil mills, rice mills, food processing, leather products, paper products, vehicle parts, electrical equipment and metallic products. There are more than 450 oil mills involved in edible oil production. The district is also a leading producer of milk and other dairy products.<ref name="Indus">Template:Cite web</ref>
Transport
The transportation system in the district is well-developed with the district well-connected by a wide road network and a limited rail network. The district has one major railway station, Erode Junction.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> It is one of the major stations in the state and handles nearly 165 trains.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It has a diesel locomotive shed and an electric loco shed attached to it.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Highways Department of the state was established in April 1946 and is responsible for construction and maintenance of national highways, state highways, major district roads and other roads in the state.<ref name="TNGov">Template:Cite report</ref> It operates through two divisions at Erode and Gobichettipalayam.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref name="HW">Template:Cite web</ref> The major arterial roads include NH-544, NH-948, NH-544H and NH 381A.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref>Template:Cite report</ref> State Highways include SH-15, SH-15A, SH-81, SH-79, SH-82, SH-84 and SH-96.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
The district has four Regional Transport Office sub-divisions, namely Erode East (TN 33), Gobichettipalayam (TN 36), Perundurai (TN 56) and Erode West (TN 86). Gobichettipalayam RTO has two sub-offices, namely Bhavani (TN 36W) and Sathyamangalam (TN 36Z).<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> The Coimbatore division of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) operates inter and intra-city routes.<ref name="TNSTC">Template:Cite report</ref> The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) operates express bus services from Erode and Gobichettipalayam to major cities across the state and neighbouring states.<ref name="TNSTC"/><ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Erode Central Bus Terminus, which serves as a major hub, is one of the largest in the state.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Due to its proximity to the states of Karnataka and Kerala, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses also operate in the district.
The nearest major airport is the Coimbatore International Airport located in the nearby Coimbatore district, which has regular flights from/to major domestic destinations and international destinations like Sharjah, Colombo and Singapore.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Infrastructure
Fire services are handled by the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services which operates 11 operating fire stations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The district is served by extensive postal and telephone networks. Postal service is handled by India Post, which operates more than 320 post offices in the district.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> The district is divided into two postal divisions, namely Erode and Gobichettipalayam with three head post offices at Erode, Bhavani and Gobichettipalayam.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The district is serviced by almost all leading mobile phone operators including Bharti Airtel, BSNL, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio offering 4G and 5G mobile services. Wireline and broadband services are offered by major operators and other smaller local operators.<ref name="TRAI">Template:Cite report</ref> There are about 1354 beds in government hospitals across the district with major hospitals located at Erode, Perundurai and Gobichettipalayam, apart from other private hospitals.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
Education
Erode district has several facilities for higher education. The district is divided into two educational districts, Gobichettipalayam and Erode. There are 1731 schools in the district including 113 nursery schools, 125 government aided schools and 216 self-financing schools.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Erode Medical College at Perundurai is one of the oldest medical colleges in the state.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Institute of Road and Transport Technology is an automobile research institute established by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation in 1984.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Apart from this, there are many arts and science, engineering and management colleges in the district oldest of which include Chikkaiah Naicker College (1954) and Gobi Arts and Science College (1968).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Places of interest
Erode has many places of interest, attracting tourists from all over the state and other neighboring states. Notable ones include:Template:Cn
- Bannari Amman Temple, Bannari
- Bhavanisagar Dam, Bhavanisagar
- Sangameswarar Temple, Bhavani
- Chennimalai Murugan temple, Chennimalai
- Kodiveri Dam, Gobichettipalayam
- Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple, Gobichettipalayam
- Pariyur Kondathu Kaliamman Temple, Gobichettipalayam
- Kunderipallam Dam, Gobichettipalayam
- Sathyamangalam Tiger reserve
- Government Museum, Erode
- Thindal Murugan Temple, Erode
- Vellode Birds Sanctuary, Erode
- Magudeshwarar Temple, Kodumudi
- Vijayamangalam Jain temple
Notable people
See also
Notes
References
External links
Template:Erode district Template:Tamil Nadu Template:Authority control