The
Nilgiri Hills have been the
home of the Toda tribe for
centuries. Coonoor began to
develop as a tourist
destination in the 19th
century when the British
made the region a popular
hill station. During
summers. Coonoor enjoys a
mild climate while the
burning sun scorches the
surrounding plaints. The
British gentleman. Who
discovered these hills in
1819. returned the following
year to build the first
bungalow. Attracted by the
temperate climate. The
British elite lost no time
and established their
settlements in the hills.
With them came tea
plantations. The
construction of a railway
line accelerated the
development of this region.
Coonoor is the second
largest hill station in the
Nilgiris, surrounded by tea
plantations, at an altitude
of 1839 meters. Its climate
is milder than Ooty. It is a
very popular weekend get
away for the people in
Coimbatore. Coonoor is
essentially a small tea
garden town where the
weather remains pleasantly
cool throughout the year.
The
earliest that is known of
the History of Ooty is, that
it was ruled by Vishnu
Vardhana, the Hoysala King,
from 1104 AD to1141 AD,
Later, after many years, it
came under the rule of the
British East India
Company,when the Company
signed a treaty with the
brave Tippu Sultan in 1799.
This is when John Sullivan
started the development of
the hill station and
promoted it as an ideal
summer retreat. Lots of
cottages, clubs and other
buildings were built to
house and provide
recreational facilities to
the British officials. Soon
enough, the hill station was
growing tea for its
inhabitants, who considered
high tea to be an integral
part of their day. Now,
these tea estates not only
produce the favorite drink
of millions of Indians but
also add to the charm and
the beauty of the hill
station of Nilgiri`s.
