Salem is a major metropolis in the western part of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Salem district and one of the largest cities in the state by area and population. Located in a basin surrounded by hills, Salem is known for its steel and stainless steel industry, mango cultivation, sago production, and handloom weaving. The city lies on the banks of the Thirumanimutharu river, a tributary of the Kaveri.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Salem |
| Region | Kongu Nadu |
| Civic body | Salem City Municipal Corporation |
| Languages | Tamil (official) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Vehicle registration | TN-30, TN-54, TN-77, TN-92, TN-93 |
The name "Salem" is generally traced to the word Sela or Shalya, referring to the surrounding hills, or to Sailam, a Sanskrit-derived term meaning a place near the mountains. The region is enclosed by the Shevaroy Hills, Nagaramalai, Jeragamalai, Kanjamalai and Godumalai.
Salem is situated on the Tamil Nadu plateau at an elevation of about 280 metres above sea level. The city is bounded by hill ranges on most sides, with the Shevaroy Hills (Yercaud) forming a prominent backdrop to the north-east. The Thirumanimutharu river flows through the city. The terrain is rich in mineral deposits, including iron ore, bauxite, magnesite, and limestone, which has historically supported mining and metallurgical industries.
The Salem region has a long recorded history and finds mention in ancient Tamil literature as part of the Kongu country. It was successively under the rule of the Cheras, the Adigaimans of Tagadur (modern Dharmapuri), the Cholas, the Hoysalas, the Vijayanagara Empire, the Madurai Nayaks, and later the Mysore kingdom under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Following the defeat of Tipu Sultan in 1792, Salem came under British control and was organised as a district of the Madras Presidency.
Salem is a multilingual city with Tamil as the dominant language. Significant communities of Telugu, Kannada and Urdu speakers reside in the city, reflecting its position near the borders of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and its long trading history. The metropolitan area is among the most populous in Tamil Nadu.
Salem's economy is anchored by heavy industry, agriculture-based manufacturing and textiles.
Salem is a key junction in southern India, connected by road, rail and air.
Salem hosts several institutions of higher learning, including Periyar University (a state university established in 1997), Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College, Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation (a deemed university), and Sona College of Technology, among other engineering and arts colleges.
The Yercaud hill station, located in the Shevaroy Hills about 30 km from the city, is a popular tourist destination administered from Salem district. Other landmarks include the Sugavaneswarar Temple, Kottai Mariamman Temple, the Kanjamalai hills, and the Mettur Dam, located in the same district across the Kaveri.
The Salem City Municipal Corporation administers the city, which is divided into multiple zones and wards. Salem is also the headquarters of the Salem revenue division and a major police commissionerate. The city sends representatives to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha through the Salem parliamentary constituency.