Tirunelveli

Tirunelveli (Tamil: [tiɾɯnelʋeːli] ^ⓘ), also known as Nellai, is a city and municipal corporation in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the southern part of the state, on the west bank of the Thamirabarani River. It is the administrative headquarters of the Tirunelveli District. As per the 2011 census, it had a population of 473,637 individuals, and was the seventh-largest city in the state by population.

Tirunelveli has a recorded history dating back to more than two thousand years. It served as a major town during the reign of the Early Pandyas in the Sangam period (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE). It came under the rule of the Cholas in the 11th century CE. The region was ruled by the Later Pandyas, the Vijayanagara Empire, and the Madurai Nayaks in the late Middle Ages. It came under the influence of the British East India Company in the late 18th century, and the Tinnevelly district was formed on 1 September 1790. In the Polygar War, Palaiyakkarars led by Veerapandiya Kattabomman fought the forces of the Company, on the outskirts of the city from 1797 to 1801. It came under the British Raj in the 19th century, and later became part of the Madras Province of Independent India in 1947.

Tirunelveli is administered by the Tirunelveli Municipal Corporation, which was established on 1 June 1994. The city covers an area of 189.9 km² (73.3 sq mi). It is well-connected by road and rail with the rest of the state. The economy of the city is dependent on agriculture and its allied industries, services including education, and information technology, manufacturing including tobacco products, cement, and bricks, and textiles. There are several wind power generation farms located in the outskirts of the city. The city serves an educational hub of the region, and is home to several institutions.

Tirunelveli has a number of historical monuments, with the Nellaiappar Temple being the most prominent. The city is renowned for the sweet of 'Irutu kadai halva'.