One of the most famous places in the state, this district has its own unique, compelling history. . The name 'Salem' seems to have been derived from inscriptions 'Sayilam', 'Shalya' or 'hai' that are found in the countryside surrounded by the hills. In ancient times, Salem and the hills areas that surrounded it were a part of the Kongu and Chera country. These places were ruled by Kongu kings who
were termed 'Kurunila Mannargal' in ancient times. It is believed that the area around Salem was the birthplace of the famous Tamil poetess, Avvaiyar. Auvaiyar penned poems that remain very popular even now and find their presence in the school textbooks in the Tamil Nadu state. In parts of the district, you will also find inscriptions that are a throwback on the Ganga Dynasty. Salem was a part of the Western Ganga Dynasty, the most important ruling dynasty in South India during 350 to 550 CE. Salem was ruled by the Gangakulam rulers for a long time before it was invaded by the Vijaynagar empire. The Madurai Nayaks ruled from 1559 to 1736, and they were basically Telugu people speaking people who ruled over most parts of the modern-day Tamil Nadu, including Madurai, which they made their capital. Later, Gatti Mudalis Poligars of Salem ruled over Salem and built some of the most renowned temples and forts in and around the city. Poligars were territorial chiefs appointed by the 'Naicker' rulers of South India, like the Madurai Nayaks, Vijayangagar Empire and Kakatiya Dynasty. It was in the 18th century that Hyder Ali ruled Salem, after a long, drawn war between Madurai and Mysore. In the beginning of 1768, Colonel Wood took control of Salem from the hands of Hyder Ali. It was then recaptured by Hyder by the end of 1772. In the 1799, things back into the favor of the British, when East India Company took control over a detachment of the regiment stationed at Sankagiri Durg, and made it a military station. In the year 1861, the troops were withdrawn.
