Salem District - History

3rd Century B.C.
The period of Bogar – a notable Tamil Siddhar. Arrival of Buddhism and Jainism in Salem.

1st Century A.D. Around the beginning of the Christian era, the existence of a culturally and economically advanced society in Salem two thousand years ago is evident from the discovery of silver coins of the Roman Emperor Tiberices Claudices Nero (37-68) in Koneripatti of Salem in 1987.
2nd Century A.D. Pandiyan dynasty rules Salem. Pandiyan Nedunchezhiyan Kanaikal Irumporai rules Kolli Malai.
4th Century A.D. - Rise of Pallava dynasty in Salem.

6th Century A.D. - Period of Mahendra Varma Pallva Raise of Saivite principles.

7th Century A.D. - Weakening of Buddhism & Jainism. Period of Narasimha Varma Pallava.

8th Century A.D. - Pandiyan dynasty in Salem.

9th Century A.D. - Raise of Saiva samayam and fading away of Jainism and Buddhism. Raise of Pallava.

10th Century A.D. - Raise of Chozha dynasty and decline of Pallavas.

11th Century A.D. - Chozha rule.

12th Century A.D. - Rise of Hoysala rule in parts of Salem.

13th Century AD. - Hoysala rule established; parts of Salem remained under Pandiyan dynasty.

14th Century A.D. - 1310 Malikkafur goes through Salem 1368- Salem under Vijaya Nagar Empire

15th Century A .D. - The Chalukya rule. Raise of Palyakarars.

16th Century A.D. - Rule of Madurai Nayakars. Rule of Emperor Krishnadheva Raya in part of Salem including Attur.

17th Century A.D. - Rise of local chieftains Gatti and Nayakas.Palayakara rule.

18th Centrury A.D. - Rule of Hyder Ali and Tipu sultan Taking over by British. 1772 – First Collector to Salem.

19th Century A.D.

1856 New Revenue survey under taken ; Settlement department established. End of company rule and Taking over by British Crown.
1860 Salem city as capital of District
1862 Salem Central Jail built.
1866-67 Severe famine. (A series of famines and epidemics)
1875 Cholera epidemic rages.
1876-78 The Great famine
1891-92 Another famine.
1896-97 Last famine of the century.

20th Century:

Developmental activities in Salem like Constructing railways and Ghat roads and construction of Mettur dam.

1947 - Salem is a independent part of Free India.

1951 – Exchange of villages between Mysore and Madras State took place under the provinces and states (Absorption of Enclaves) order 1950.

1961- Sankari Taluk was formed from Tiruchengode Taluk.

1965- Salem district was bifurcated into Salem – Dharmapuri districts (2-10-1965)

Salem constituted 8 Taluks – Salem , Attur, Yercaud, Omalur ,Sankari, Tiruchengode, Rasipuram and Namakkal.

Dharmapuri constituted 4 Taluks – Hosur, Krishnagiri , Harur and Dharmapuri.

1966- Mettur Taluk was formed from Omalur Taluk and Salem constituted Nine taluks.

1989 – Paramathi Velur Taluk was newly formed.

1997 – Salem District was bifurcated into Salem and Namakkal district (2.2.1997). Salem constituted 8 Taluks - Salem, Yercaud, Attur, Omalur, Mettur, Sankari, Gangavalli, and Idappadi and Namakkal district constituted 4 Taluks - Namakkal, Tiruchengode, Rasipuram and Paramathi-Velur

1998 – Attur Division was newly formed and a new Taluk Valappadi was formed. Salem attained its present administrative set-up.