South India · Tamil Nadu
Salem, Tamil Nadu
About Salem
- Inland
Where it is
Salem is a city in Tamil Nadu ringed by hills, with the Shevaroy Hills and the hill station of Yercaud rising just to the north; the Thirumanimuthar River flows through the city on its way to the Kaveri.
History
The region came under the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century and later the Madurai Nayaks, before passing to Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore. After Tipu's defeat the British formed Salem district in 1792, and the town became a municipality in 1867. It grew as a centre of handloom weaving, mining and later steel.
People
Salem's people speak Tamil, and weaving, farming, mining and the processing of tapioca into sago support the city and its surrounding villages.
Known for
- Salem mangoes
- Salem silk and handloom fabrics
- Sago made from tapioca
- The Salem Steel Plant and magnesite mines
- Nearby Yercaud in the Shevaroy Hills
Did you know?
The Salem region meets most of India's demand for sago, which is made from the tapioca grown across the district.
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