| Coimbatore | |
| State - District(s) | Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore |
| Coordinates | |
| Area - Elevation | 105.5 km² - 411.2 m |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population (2004) - Density | 1,865,234 - 17,679/km² |
| Mayor | R. Venkatachalam<ref>Coimbatore Mayor elected unopposed, The Hindu, 2006-10-29</ref> |
| Codes - Postal - Telephone - Vehicle | - 6410(xx) - +91-(0)422 - TN 37, TN 38 |
Coimbatore pronunciation (Tamil: கோயம்பத்தூர்), also known as Kovai (Tamil: கோவை), is a major industrial city in South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu after Chennai and the fourth largest<ref>India: metropolitan areas, World Gazetteer</ref> in South India. It is the administrative headquarters of Coimbatore District.
Coimbatore is known for its textile factories, engineering firms, automobile parts manufacturers, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, pleasant weather, friendly culture and hospitality.[citation needed] Coimbatore has an emerging Information Technology industry.[citation needed] Situated on the banks of the Noyyal river, Coimbatore is also known as Koneyammanputhhur, which means "birth-place of the Goddess" (Koni Amman).
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Information about the origins of Coimbatore is scarce. During the early period it was ruled by the Chera and Chola dynasties. During the early Chola period (prior to the year 200 CE) Karikala Chola built the Perur temple.[citation needed]
Later, the region passed to the Rastrakutas and Ganga kingdoms of Mysore following the political confusion created by the Kalabhras, who held sway over South India until 550 CE. The Chalukya dynasty took over the region in 550 CE, after a brief tussle with the Pallavas, who ruled the region for a few decades. From the Chalukyas, it passed on to the Pandyas of Madurai in 720 CE.
A second Chola empire arose in the mid-9th century, and gained the territory encompassing Coimbatore. They established a planned layout, with the Koniamman temple in the center.[citation needed] The village was named "Kovanputhur" after its aboriginal Irula Clan chieftain. The Irulas built the water tanks which still play a major role in Coimbatore's water management system.
From the Cholas, control of Coimbatore passed back to the Pandyas for a brief period, then to the Hoysalas of Karnataka in 1291. By the early 14th century, the region was ruled by the Muslim rulers of Madurai under the Delhi Sultanate. The Muslim rule in Madurai was ended in the late 14th century by the newly formed Vijayanagara Empire. The Vijayanagara reign brought new settlers from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
In the 1550s, the military governors (Nayaks) of the Vijaynagara Empire took control of Madurai, with Coimbatore belonging to their territory. After the downfall of Vijayanagara Empire, the Madurai Nayaks established their state as an independent kingdom, with other Vijayanagar offshoots forming new kingdoms in Vellore, Tanjore, Gingee, Chandragiri and Mysore. The Nayaks introduced the Palayakkarars, who were military governors of their respective regions.
By the 1700s, frequent fighting between Madurai and Mysore forces in the Coimbatore region resulted in the village being ruled by Mysore. At this time Coimbatore was still a village of around 3000 people.[citation needed]
In the 1760s, the Mysore throne was usurped in a coup by General Hyder Ali. Ali was hostile to the British,[citation needed] who were gaining a foothold in the area with the help of Arcot Nawab. A series of wars between the British and the Mysore forces continued till Tipu Sultan's death in 1799, when the Mysore throne was handed over to the earlier Mysore rulers. At that time the British annexed the Coimbatore region into the Madras Presidency. When Hyder Ali acquired Coimbatore, the population was around 3000.[citation needed] The village dwindled to 1500 by Tipu's death.[citation needed]
In 1804 Coimbatore was established as a capital for the newly formed Coimbatore district and in 1848, it was accorded the municipality status.
A british gazetteer in 1858 observed in his manual "the town not fit for human dwelling, with air and water unsuitable for humans."[citation needed] Sir Robert Stanes, a British entrepreneur and philanthropist, became the first Chairman of the Coimbatore City Council in the late 19th century and founded a major high school.
In 1979 Coimbatore became a corporation with annexure of the Singanallur municipality.
The city lies between 10° 10' and 11° 30' of the northern latitude and 76° 40' and 77° 30' of eastern longitude in the extreme west of Tamil Nadu near Kerala state at an elevation of 432 metres from sea level. Mean valued to 11.01° N 76.96° E. It is surrounded by mountains on the west, and with reserve forests and river basin (Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve) on the northern side, while the eastern side of the district starting from the city is predominantly dry. The entire western and northern part of the district borders the Western Ghats with Nilgiri biosphere, Anaimalai and Munnar range with a western pass to Kerala popularly referred to as the Palghat Gap providing its boundary. Due to the presence of the mountain pass, major parts of the district benefit from the south-west monsoon.
It is generally a dry district apart from the Noyyal River basin and occasional over-flowing streams from the Western Ghats, which terminate in the city's large tanks. The soil is predominantly black soil, which is suitable for cotton cultivation, but it also has some amount of a type of red loamy soil. Coimbatore falls under Class III/IV Seismic Zone and has experienced a 6.0 Richter scale earthquake in the past.[citation needed]
The climate is generally pleasant with low humidity, and is noted for its cool breezes which are unusual for a tropical region. Temperatures range from 14 °C to 32 °C during winters (December–January), to a warm range of 21 °C to 36 °C during summer (March–May). Hence, Coimbatore is also dubbed as "Manchester of South India".
Due to the western pass, the city gets (South-West) monsoon showers with a mild drizzle in the months from June to August. After a pleasant September, regular monsoon starts from October lasting till early November. These monsoons are brought about by the retreating monsoons/post monsoon season (North-eastern monsoon). Although these rainfalls are not enough for the entire year, small rivers like Siruvani and Atthikadavu fulfil water needs of the city.
Given its close proximity to the Western Ghats the district is rich in fauna. Apart from the species common to the plains, wild elephants, leopards, tigers, bison, deer, Nilgiri Tahr, sloth bear, black-headed Oriole. The Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary (88 km) in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 1,400 meters covers an area of 958 km². Among region’s livestock animals are the Kangeyam breed bulls (cross-bred by Mandradiar family in 17th century to suit the terrain). These breed which helped gain foothold in dairy industry are found only in Coimbatore and neighbouring districts.
More than 20% of the district is classified as forest and comprises of mountain range, they lie in west and north. The forests here are abundant in commercially significant items such as teak, sandalwood, rosewood, bamboo etc. The Nilgiris slope viz. the Mettupalayam range is rich in sandalwood trees and bamboo. They vary from rich tropical evergreen forests of Punachi range to jungles of shrubs in southern ranges. Apart from this, quite a few are tea plantations. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is an hours drive from the city.
As of 2001 India census, Coimbatore has a population of 1.2 million within city limits and estimated another 0.6 million under urban cover. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Coimbatore has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 81% and female literacy is 74% with 11% of the population under 6 years of age (2001).
The city is a Municipal Corporation as well as the district Headquarters. The city has two Members of Parliament representing Coimbatore east and west constituencies, but oddly enough 5% of the city territory is represented by the Nilgiri constituency which runs into the Northern part on the city. The city has a Mayor, Deputy Mayor and several councilors elected by people representing administrative wards and also a corporation Commissioner to administer the city headed by District Collector. The District court is the highest court of appeal in Coimbatore. Despite being the largest revenue earning districts, insufficient funds from the state government has kept the city underdeveloped in basic civic infrastructure.
Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984 was followed by large scale arson and looting. During the 1980s crime was on the rise when liquor shops were in plenty. Hindu – Muslim riots were frequent in the late 80’s, reaching its peak in the 90’s when it ended with a massive riot in the Townhall and west Coimbatore area. Recent crime rate has been on the lower side, after the 1998 Bomb Blast, when police improved vigilance. Contrary to other major cities, shops and public transportation are closed by 11pm. Drunken driving and parking are strictly enforced, stricter than other towns or cities in Tamil Nadu.
The city has six major arterial roads and three National Highways, NH-47 (Kanyakumari–Salem), NH-67 (Coimbatore–Nagappattinam) and NH-209 (Bangalore–Dindigul) passing through the city. The city has a civil airport at Peelamedu (8 km) and an air-force base at Sulur (12 km). Broad gauge trains connect to all parts of India and a meter gauge line connects the city to Dindigul. A new by-pass highway completed in 1998 has helped in eliminating much of the truck traffic in the city.
The city corporation has been allocated inadequate development funds by the State Government despite high revenues which has resulted in slow infrastructure development. Lack of new roads has also resulted in construction of large apartment complexes in areas meant for lower density population. These are often opposed by the local residents who feel that other spaces available within the city limits are not being developed due to the lack of infrastructure in those areas.[citation needed]
The city has a very high vehicle-to-population ratio. Town bus services ply to most parts of city and villages in the district; buses also connect to all towns in Tamil Nadu, North Kerala, South Karnataka and Tirupathi in (Andhra Pradesh). Town buses started operation in 1921. City’s auto rickhaws have had a reputation for fleecing passengers and they now face stiff competition from the Call Taxis; call taxis are a relatively new concept in India by which you get a taix to show up at your door upon calling them on the telephone. Traditionally, one would have to go to a nearby taxi stand (formally allocated place where taxis congregate) to get one.
The first train pulled into Coimbatore (Podanur) from Erode on 12 December 1872 when the Podanur–Madras (now Chennai) line connected Kerala and west coast with rest of India. The city has a large number of cars, two-wheelers and Light commercial vehicles.
The airport in Coimbatore is currently the second-busiest in Tamil Nadu after Chennai International Airport. Proposed international flights include a direct flight to Colombo by Srilankan airlines and to Singapore by Silk airways. The runway requires expansion to handle larger planes. Paramount Airways has its hub in Coimbatore.
Airlines and Destinations include:
Domestic:
International:
The city's primary industry is engineering and textile industry. The district also houses the country's largest cluster of hosiery and poultry industries. Most of the industries are run by entrepreneurs, often indigenous with family based or community financing. The city's industrial growth started in 1920’s and accelerated after Independence, without any government assistance or without the entry of external industrial houses.[citation needed] Of late, IT companies have started opening their offshore development centres in the city, for the advantages of salibrous climate, cheap manpower and infrastructure in the city.
When the British occupied Coimbatore, the territory connected the Malabar ports with the rest of India (apart from Konkan coast). Later the British expanded their railway network in 1862, passing through Podanur to Cochin for quicker transit of raw materials required in England.
By mid 1888, Sir Robert Stanes founded the Coimbatore Spinning and Weaving Mills (also known as Stanes Mills) in the northern edge of the town after starting a coffee curing factory in Trichy road. Sir Robert Stanes would later assist several others in setting up their ventures. <ref>Remembering Coimbatore's pioneer, Thi Hindu</ref> Two more mills (Kalleeswara and Somasundra mills) were established by 1910. Lakshmi Mills Company commenced their operations in 1911 in Papanaickenpalayam. By 1930s a big chunk of textile mills were established around Coimbatore thanks to the cheap power offered by the Pykara power station.
In 1900, Swamikannu Vincent, a railway engineer built the first cinema in South India, the "Variety Hall" (now Delite Theatres). His son Paul Vincent, introduced talkie motion pictures in South India. In 1922, Narayanaswamy Naidu started a workshop to repair cane crushers and cotton ginning machines. Two years later, he established the Dhandayuthapani Foundry.<ref>Coimbatore's wealth creators, The Hindu</ref> Around the same time, G.D.Naidu started his unique bus service and he is also credited for manufacturing the first electric motor in India. In 1931, Pollachi Nachimuthu Gounder stated his transport business which grew into a multi-crore industrial and trading house. In the 1940s, a Sheffield University graduate, S.Balasundaram Naidu from Avarampalayam in Coimbatore started his company Textool to manufacture textile machines of his design.
Wet grinders, considered to be India’s only product and engineering invention, has been manufactured which later spun-off into several variants. LMW and Pricol would commence operations later growing into a multi crore group.
Some wealthy industrialists (notable example S.Karivardhan) with a penchant for tinkering machines and cars plunged into motor racing later making it the country's capital.
Coimbatore is the highest revenue earning district in Tamil Nadu. General trade attracts people from the neighbouring Kerala. Neighbouring town, Tirupur has Asia’s largest garment manufacturing clusters. Coimbatore is also emerging as an IT and BPO city. Agriculture is still the major occupation in the district. The motor and pump industry supplies 2/3rd of India’s requirement, while wet-grinder industry has a near monopoly.
Textool, offered a prototype of Sten Guns to Indian Government after independence. They developed the first in-house designed car in the 1960s, which never saw the light of day due to license raj. They made several prototypes until 1990s. They successfully manufactured India's first indigenously developed diesel engines in 1972 for cars and their own CNC lathes in 1982. Today their spin-off company Jayem Automotives offers R & D services to Mahindra, Tata Motors and Hindustan Motors.
Maruti Udyog and Tata Motors source upto 30% of automotive components from Coimbatore. The city also houses numerous jewellers engaged in jewellery exports.
Coimbatore also has a 160,000 square feet trade fair ground built in 1999 named COINTEC to host INTEC (Small Industries Exhibition). The Trade Fair complex, one of the country's largest was built in six months owned by CODISSIA (Coimbatore District Small Industries Association). It is also the country's largest pillar-free hall.
Coimbatore has good air quality, inspite of being heavily industralised. Most industries are engineering based (less polluting) and there are no toxic spewing or waste dumping factories. In 1990’s the State Government and pollution control board took major steps to re-locate the steel foundries out of the city. The foundries were established in 50's and 60’s when there were no residential areas nearby, but expansion had to give way. The textile mills are all equipped with air treatment towers.
The city has no proper underground drainage or sewage system. Garbage is collected by the Corporation (sometimes systems developed by the locals). The city's hospitals have no proper bio-waste management scheme. Drainage is pumped into the remaining tanks through streams. During the 80’s, corporation planned on closing the tanks due to encroachment by filling with waste. But as a result of outcries from associations, the tanks are being renovated by the city's environmental groups with their own fund-raising. From mid 90’s, corporation authorities are keeping public encroachments under check.[citation needed]Siruthuli, an environmental organisation initiated by the city's industrial houses have embarked in de-silting of tanks and cleaning of Noyyal River. Citizen Voice Club is one of the most active clubs in raising civic issues.
The city has a multi-cultural society, mostly of cosmopolitan nature. Most are conservative and traditional but always open for blending tradition with modern values, with most of the people still retaining their roots in their native villages. People here are known for being polite, modest and courteous. Even addressing the young in plural, with brash and rude behavior generally looked down upon.
Tamil is the official and widely spoken language. The dialect of the Tamil language spoken here has a flavour of warmth and generosity, and is referred to as "Kongu Tamil", often addressing younger person and strangers in plural irrespective of class.
Other languages spoken in Coimbatore include Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and English. There are quite a large population of Gujaratis and Marwaris settled more than 100 years ago. Also people from Konkan coast of Konkani and Tulu origins have settled in the city. The natives of Kongu Nadu were the Gounders and Adi Dravidars, essentially a farming community. Vested with irrigated land by the then rulers, they were quick to improvise, try and adopt new farming practices.
Apart from the native Gounders, Adi Dravidars and other Tamil speaking population, the city has large number of Telugus, (Kamma Naidus and few Telugu Chettiars, Kannadiga’s (Gowda’s , Kannada and Chettiars who migrated and settled in and around Coimbatore during 16th century. Palghat Brahmins, and Keralites from Palghat and Trichur too are in large numbers from 19th century onwards.
The city's population is predominantly Hindu, along with a sizable Muslim and Christian populations. Sikhs and Jains constitute in smaller numbers.
There are numerous temples in the city including the Perur Temple, the Avinashi Temple, the Murugan temple in Marudamalai and Vishnu temples at Papanaickenpalayam. Konniamman temple at Big Bazaar temple is considered to be the city-temple. A replica temple of Tirupathi is located in Valparai and another near Mettupalayam. Image:Perur1.gif
The Mosques on Oppanakara Street and Big Bazaar Street date back to the period of Hyder Ali.
Christian missionaries date back to 1647 when permission was granted by the Nayak rulers to set up a small church in Karumathampatti (12 km). It was destroyed by Tipu Sultan’s army resulting in a new church in 1804.[citation needed] In 1886, Coimbatore was constituted as a diocese after bifurcating with Pondicherry. Numerous churches, both Roman Catholic and CSI Protestant, are in Coimbatore including one church for Kerala Roman Catholics and a Syrian Christian church. The CSI Immanuel church in Avinashi and is the largest church in India. It can accommodate about 8000 people in a single service.
Sikh Gurudwaras and Jain Temples are located in R.S. Puram. ISHA Dhyana Lingam situated in the foothills of Velangiri hills is visited by many people regardless of religion.
The Mariamman festivals, at the city’s numerous Amman temples, is a major event in summer. This is one of the most popular festivals celebrated along with Koniamman temple car festival. Car festivals at the Karamadai temple and The famous Avinashi temple attract a large attendance. Traditional Hindu festivals like Pongal, Deepavali are major events. Ayudha pooja is an important festival. All commercial establishments are cleaned, painted, machines and vehicles washed, concluding with a pooja. Other religious occasions like Ramzan and Christmas are also observed by the city.
The cuisine is predominantly South Indian with rice as base. Most locals still retain their rural flavour and non-vegetarians are in larger numbers. In restaurants, food is typical South Indian with less spicy Coimbatore flavour. The Biriyani is a favourite originating from the Tamil Muslims. Foods in most restaurants is served on a banana leaf. North Indian cuisine is available in many restaurants. Also notable are Chinese and continental food.
The city is most famous for Krishna sweets Mysorepa (a sweet made from lentil flour and ghee), Idly, Dosa from Annapoorna chain of restaurants and Biriyani from Angannan Shop. New developments are Pizza and Coffee houses. Majority of cuisines are typical south indian with modifications to suit local palette.
Educational institutions played a major role in the city's development. The year 1867 saw the first group of students appearing for SSLC Examinations. The city today has more than a dozen engineering colleges, two medical colleges, an air-force administrative college, a forest college, more than 50 arts and science colleges and 3 universities, churning out about 25,000 graduates every year. The earliest educational institutions were St. Michaels School (1860), Stanes High School (1862), Sarvajana High School (1910) in Peelameduand the Suburban Higher Secondary School (1917).
The first college was the Government Arts College (1875-76). The first engineering college was started by PSG and Sons (1926) as a polytechnic and industrial training institute, later offering graduate programmes including textile engineering. G.D. Naidu started Hope College (named after Aurthur Hope, then Governor of Madras Presidency), offering technical education in mechanical, electronics and automobile engineering. Later it became the Government College of Technology.
Coimbatore Medical College (1966) started functioning on land granted by some industrial families. Later in 1987 PSG and Sons started PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (1971) has successfully developed several high yielding varieties of rice and millets.
The city has two major English dailies, The Hindu and The New Indian Express. Tamil language dailies include Dina Malar, Dina Thanthi, Dina Mani and Dinakaran with two other dailies Tamil Murasu and Malai Malar published in the evening. Short wave radio station is operated by All India Radio with most programmes in Tamil, English and Hindi. Two FM radio stations operate from Coimbatore, "Rainbow FM" by All India Radio and "Suryan FM" by Sun Networks. "Radio Mirchi FM" is about to launch.
Television relay was started in 1985 with Delhi Doordarshan, later in 1986 after inception of Kodaikanal Tower telecast from Madras Doordarshan commenced. People of Coimbatore witnessed the 1980 Olympics and 1983 Cricket World Cup on a giant screen in VOC Park when the city-based UMS developed dish antenna for satellite signal reception. Television reception nowadays is through DTH or by Cable, while "Doordarshan" reception is still available using an antenna.
Coimbatore is the headquarters for the Tamil Nadu circle of cellular service providers, with Aircel having its headquarters in Coimbatore. Services available are DOT landline, CDMA and GSM. Fiber optic cables were laid in 2001, spurting internet access which earlier started through a dial-up connection in 1996.
The city has numerous hospitals, attracting patients even from abroad. Apart from the Government hospital, several multi-facility hospitals function in the city. The district's health department tops in implementation of various health schemes initiated by the government. Several rare (country's first) kind of surgeries have taken place here. Polio eradication programme is heavily assisted by the city's Rotary Clubs, who also regularly donate ambulances for smaller hospitals.
Motorsports is the major sport of the city often known as "Motorsports Capital of India" and "Backyard of Indian Motorsports". The city has a motor racing circuit that can host upto Formula 3 Category and two Go-Kart circuits. National Champion races for Formula racing (Cars), Motorcycle racing, Go-Kart racing are held in Kari Motor Speedway. LG Sports designs and constructs almost all Formula cars. Rallying is another major event with all teams based in Coimbatore. Rallies are conducted in closed roads around Coimbatore districts. Narain Karthikeyan is a famous driver from the city and the first Indian to enter Formula 1 in 2005 with Team Jordan Grand Prix Toyota.
Nehru stadium built originally for Football can also host athletic meets. Apart from the stadium the city also has number of sports clubs. The Coimbatore Golf Club is a major 18-hole golf course. The Cosmopolitan Club is more than 100 years old, which was started to admit only Indian members contrary to the Coimbatore Club (English Club), which till 50's did not admit Indians. The Coimbatore Flying Club is situated in the Coimbatore airport premises.
Though there are a lot of entertainment centres mushrooming in the land-locked city, cinema still remains the city's most popular recreational activity.
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| State of Tamil Nadu </b> Tamil Nadu Topics | History | Politics | Tamil people |
|---|---|
| Capital | Chennai |
| Districts | Chennai • Coimbatore • Cuddalore • Dharmapuri • Dindigul • Erode • Kanchipuram • Kanyakumari • Karur • Krishnagiri • Madurai • Nagapattinam • Namakkal • Perambalur • Pudukkottai • Ramanathapuram • Salem • Sivaganga • Thanjavur • The Nilgiris • Theni • Thoothukudi • Tiruchirapalli • Tirunelveli • Tiruvallur • Tiruvannamalai • Tiruvarur • Vellore • Viluppuram • Virudhunagar |
| Major cities | Alandur • Avadi • Ambattur • Chennai • Coimbatore • Cuddalore • Dindigul • Erode • Kancheepuram • Karur • Kumbakonam • Madurai • Nagercoil • Neyveli • Pallavaram • Pudukkottai • Rajapalayam • Salem • Tiruchirapalli • Tirunelveli • Tambaram • Thoothukudi • Tiruppur • Tiruvannamalai • Thanjavur • Tiruvottiyur • Vellore |
| Million plus cities in India |
| Agra • Ahmedabad • Allahabad • Amritsar • Asansol • Bangalore • Bhopal • Chennai • Coimbatore • Delhi • Dhanbad • Faridabad • Hyderabad • Indore • Jabalpur • Jaipur • Jamshedpur • Kanpur • Kochi • Kolkata • Lucknow • Ludhiana • Madurai • Meerut • Mumbai • Nagpur • Nashik • Patna • Pune • Rajkot • Surat • Vadodara • Varanasi • Vijayawada • Visakhapatnam |
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