Tirunelveli

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).