History Of Ooty

A trip to Ooty undoubtedly charms your attention with its natural beauty, exotic ambience and colonial charisma. Even if you are not much of a nature lover and the green environs, extraordinary landscapes and rich resorts, doesn't beguile you, then wait until you excavate Ooty's history and unearth its fascinating past. A lovely hill station with heaps of history twined around it, Ooty is indeed one place that should feature in every traveler's itinerary list. The beautiful structures, attractive tea gardens and well-laid roads remind you of the colonial influence in the land. Although Ooty and its surrounding hilly regions served as an abode to many ancient Indian kingdoms, the region witnessed its glory only during the British reign. Inspired by the wonderful climate of Nilgiri region, the British began to settle here and constructed a number of architectures and roads. To know more about the city, it is necessary to have a glimpse of its past. Here is an article to help you understand Ooty through its majestic history.

Ooty History

Early History
Ooty, the "Queen of Hill Station", is the proud capital of Nilgiri district. Nilgiri, which literally means the blue mountain, got its name from the kurinji flowers, which bloom once in every twelve years, giving a bluish tinge to the entire hilly range. Although not much information is available on the ancient history of the region, the records suggest that the Nilgiri region was once ruled by Chera dynasty and was later passed on to the hands of Gangas and Hoysalas. Even Tippu Sultan of Mysore enjoyed his power over the land.

British Influence
This beautiful region of Nilgiri came under the control of East India Company as a part of surrendered land of Tipu Sultan, under the treaty of Srirangapatanam in 1799. In 1812, the famous British surveyor William Keys and Macmohan visited Ooty to explore the picturesque city. Later in the year 1818, Wish and Kindersley, the assistant and second assistant officers of Coimbatore collector, explored the land and gave a detailed description of the place to collector Julian Sullivan. Impressed by the colorful sketch of the city, Julian Sullivan along with his party moved towards Nilgiri Mountain and camped at Dimbhatti, to the north of Kotagiri. Struck by the beauty of the region, Julian Sullivan started the construction of his bungalow at Dimbhatti in May 1819. In the succeeding years, Julian Sullivan beautified the region with well-laid roads, beautiful buildings and gardens. In the past, Todas and other tribes occupied the entire region of Nilgiri. Impressed by the work and humbleness of Julian Sullivan, the people of the tribe handed over their control to him. Even after Julian Sullivan, the place served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency and other small regions ruled by the British government.

Post Independence
After Indian Independence in 1947, the government of India took further initiative in beautifying this gifted colonial land. With its well-connected road and railway networks, the place became easily accessible, thereby, captivating the attention of people from around the globe. Today, Ooty serves as a major hill station of India, which remains crowded by tourists all around the year.