Erode is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the banks of the Kaveri River and is surrounded by the Western Ghats. Erode is the seventh largest urban agglomeration in Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative capital of Erode district and is administered by the Erode Municipal Corporation, which was established in 2008.
The region was ruled by the Cheras during the Sangam period between the 1st and 4th centuries AD. The medieval Cholas conquered the region in the 10th century AD. The region was ruled by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century, followed by the Nayaks who introduced the Palayakkara system. In the latter part of the 18th century it came under the Kingdom of Mysore and after the Anglo-Mysore Wars, the British East India Company annexed it to the Madras Presidency in 1799. The region played a prominent role in the second Polygar War. . (1801) when it was Dheeran Chinnamalai's area of operations.
After India's independence in 1947, Erode was part of Coimbatore district. It was established in 1979 as the capital of the newly formed Erode district. Erode is part of the Erode Lok Sabha constituency which elects its Member of Parliament. Erode is a major agricultural, industrial and educational centre. Erode is one of the largest producers of turmeric and Erode Turmeric is recognized as a geographical indication by the Indian government. The textile boom of the early 20th century and the rapid growth resulting from industrialization made Erode a major producer of handloom and knitwear.
