Coonoor
Coonoor
Kunnur | |
|---|---|
 Downtown as seen from the ESE. | |
  Coonoor Location in Tamil Nadu, India | |
| Coordinates: 11°20′42″N 76°47′42″E / 11.34500°N 76.79500°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Nilgiris |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body | Coonoor Municipality |
| Elevation | 1,850 m (6,070 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 45,954 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 643 10x |
| Telephone code | 91(0)423 |
| Vehicle registration | TN-43 |
Coonoor or Kunnur (Tamil: [kunːuːr] ⓘ), is a taluk and a municipal town of the Nilgiris District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.[1][2] As of 2011, the town had a population of 45,494. The town, located in the Nilgiri plateau, is at the head of the Coonoor Ghat, the principal pass connecting the Nilgiris to the plains. It is 363 miles (584 km) by rail from Chennai and 12 miles (19 km) from Ooty. The town is built within the picturesque Jackatalla valley (Jagathala), surrounded by wooded hills.
History
[edit]
Since the time of British rule, Coonoor has served as the terminus of the Nilgiri branch of the Southern Railway zone of the Indian Railways (formerly under the Madras South-Western Railway). In its early years, the town featured a sub-magistrate's court, a hospital, three churches, several schools, a library, as well as various shops and hotels catering to Europeans. Surrounded by tea and coffee estates, Coonoor is one of the principal hill stations of then Madras Presidency, second only to Ooty in natural advantages.[3] The European settlement was located on the upper plateau, while the native quarter was situated on the lower slopes of the valley.
In the early 1800s, travelers from the plains reached Coonoor and Ooty via the Old Ooty Road. Coonoor had an Inspection Bungalow where travelers could rest. A historic milestone where the Old Ooty Road approached Coonoor was inscribed with "1 MILE FROM THE BUNGALOW". This marker indicated the distance to the Inspection Bungalow in Coonoor. The rock was unearthed in June 2025. Local historians speculate that the marker might date from the 1830s.[4]
By the early 1830s, Coonoor had been established as the headquarters of a Pioneer Corps engaged in completing the Coonoor Ghat road. The small cantonment then contained houses occupied by Pioneer officers, while the settlement's importance was chiefly associated with its position at the head of the Ghat route connecting the Nilgiri plateau with the plains.[5]
The Coonoor Pass was reported to have been laid out and substantially completed under Lieutenant-Colonel Le Hardy of the Madras Army. The principal ascent from the plains was described as approximately nine miles, following about three miles of comparatively level approach from Mettupalayam. The road was recorded as being at least 15 feet (4.6 m) wide, with a width of 20 feet (6.1 m) intended.[6] The route was used for the transport of coffee and agricultural produce from the hills, while goods from the plains were brought up for sale and barter.
Coonoor was also used as an intermediate resting place for travellers proceeding towards the higher Nilgiri plateau. During the period in which the Pioneer Corps remained stationed there, accommodation for travellers was principally provided in a public bungalow, where stays were limited by regulation to three days. Six or eight additional bungalows were expected to become available after completion of the corps' works.[7] Addionally, a hotel consisting of four detached bungalows was operated by Mr and Mrs Davison near the church. A medical officer of the East India Company was also stationed at Coonoor and periodically attended Kotagiri.
Early botanical experiments
[edit]Before the later development of commercial tea estates, botanical experiments relating to tea cultivation had already been undertaken in the Nilgiris. Baron Hügel was reported to have found Camellia japonica growing in considerable abundance near Coonoor, and similarities in soil, climate and exposure were used to suggest that tea might also be cultivated successfully. Dr A. T. Christie had independently reached a similar conclusion and had obtained tea plants from China; after his death, some of these plants were distributed to different parts of the hills for trial.[8]
A substantial teak forest was also recorded within the Coonoor Ghat and was stated to have been reserved for government use.[9]
Historical measurements
[edit]A barometrical table published in 1834 recorded Coonoor at an elevation of 5,886 feet (about 1,794 m).[10] The figure represented a nineteenth-century barometrical measurement rather than a modern surveyed elevation.
A hill fort identified in the same account as Hulliculdroog was recorded on a commanding spur overlooking the Coonoor Ghat. A local tradition attributing this and neighbouring forts to Hyder Ali was reported, although the attribution was explicitly treated as uncertain in the contemporary account.[5]
Colonial-era memorials
[edit]The 1946 catalogue of historical inscriptions records several nineteenth-century memorials under Coonoor, principally associated with military personnel and members of the Madras Presidency establishment.[11]
| Name | Date | Position or association | Recorded context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brackley Kennett | 19th century | General; Colonel of the 22nd Regiment, Bombay Native Infantry | Born at Dorchester, Oxfordshire, in 1770. The catalogue states that he died at Coonoor after being attacked at his residence. Its tabular entry gives 12 October 1857, although the accompanying note cites the Madras Almanac for 9 October 1867.[11] |
| Alexander John Greenlaw | 1870 | Colonel, Madras Staff Corps | A memorial tablet was erected by his Masonic brethren and friends in recognition of their association with him.[11] |
Geography
[edit]Coonoor sits at the south-east corner of the Nilgiri plateau, and at the head of the Coonoor Ghat, the principal pass connecting the Nilgiris to the plains. It is located at 11°20′42″N 76°47′42″E / 11.345°N 76.795°E.[12] It has an average elevation of 1,850 metres (6,070 feet) above sea level. It is 584 km (363 mi) by rail from Chennai, the state capital, and 19 km (12 mi) from Ooty, the district headquarters.
Climate
[edit]Coonoor has a sub-tropical highland climate (Koppen;Cfb) due to its high altitude.
| Climate data for Coonoor (1991–2020, extremes 1928–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 25.6 (78.1) |
27.0 (80.6) |
28.3 (82.9) |
29.6 (85.3) |
29.4 (84.9) |
28.6 (83.5) |
26.2 (79.2) |
26.2 (79.2) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.2 (77.4) |
25.6 (78.1) |
29.6 (85.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 20.5 (68.9) |
21.7 (71.1) |
23.4 (74.1) |
24.5 (76.1) |
24.6 (76.3) |
23.0 (73.4) |
22.4 (72.3) |
22.2 (72.0) |
22.2 (72.0) |
21.3 (70.3) |
19.9 (67.8) |
19.9 (67.8) |
22.1 (71.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10.2 (50.4) |
11.3 (52.3) |
13.4 (56.1) |
15.2 (59.4) |
16.0 (60.8) |
15.3 (59.5) |
15.2 (59.4) |
15.0 (59.0) |
14.7 (58.5) |
14.1 (57.4) |
13.0 (55.4) |
11.3 (52.3) |
13.7 (56.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 0.7 (33.3) |
0.2 (32.4) |
3.8 (38.8) |
8.4 (47.1) |
9.0 (48.2) |
9.4 (48.9) |
8.8 (47.8) |
8.6 (47.5) |
7.2 (45.0) |
6.1 (43.0) |
3.0 (37.4) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 36.5 (1.44) |
54.3 (2.14) |
107.5 (4.23) |
103.7 (4.08) |
120.5 (4.74) |
71.6 (2.82) |
74.8 (2.94) |
101.7 (4.00) |
142.9 (5.63) |
345.3 (13.59) |
372.7 (14.67) |
136.2 (5.36) |
1,667.7 (65.66) |
| Average rainy days | 1.6 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 4.7 | 7.1 | 6.2 | 7.5 | 8.4 | 9.3 | 13.0 | 11.4 | 5.6 | 80.0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) | 72 | 62 | 60 | 68 | 76 | 79 | 81 | 83 | 84 | 87 | 88 | 83 | 77 |
| Source: India Meteorological Department[13][14][15] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]According to 2011 census, Coonoor had a population of 45,494 with a sex-ratio of 1,058 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[17] A total of 3,768 were under the age of six, constituting 1,871 males and 1,897 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 27.92% and 23% of the population, respectively. The average literacy of the city was 84.79%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[17] The city had a total of 12384 households. There were a total of 17,421 workers, comprising 50 cultivators, 152 main agricultural labourers, 266 in household industries, 15,790 other workers, 1,163 marginal workers, 6 marginal cultivators, 66 marginal agricultural labourers, 31 marginal workers in household industries and 1,060 other marginal workers.[18]
Coonoor has 61.81% Hindus, 23.99% Christians, 13.01% Muslims, 0.04% Sikhs, 0.06% Buddhists, 0.95% Jains and 0.08% Others. 0.05% of the respondents follow no religion or did not state their religion.[16]
Administration and politics
[edit]Coonoor is a taluk headquarters, responsible for six Panchayat villages, namely, Bandishola, Bearhatty, Burliar, Hubbathalai, Melur and Yedapalli. The Coonoor block contains the revenue villages of Adigaratty, Burliar, Coonoor Town, Yedapalli, Hubbathalai, Hullickal, Ketti, Melur. Coonoor assembly constituency is part of Nilgiris (Lok Sabha constituency).[19]
Tourism
[edit]Spread over an area of 12 ha (30 acres), Sim's Park has a collection of over 1,000 plant species. The botanical garden is partly developed in the Japanese style and derived its name from J. D. Sim, the secretary of the Madras Club in 1874. The key attraction of the park is the annual fruit show held in May.[20][21]
Dolphin's Nose Viewpoint is 10 km (6.2 mi) from Coonoor. Tourists can trek from Lady Canning's Seat to Dolphin's Nose. Lamb's Rock, about 5.5 km (3.4 mi) from Coonoor, is another vantage point.
Transport
[edit]![[icon]](/everything/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (June 2025) |
Railway station
[edit]The railway station is in the Salem railway division of Southern Railway zone. It lies between Mettupalayam railway station and Ooty Railway Station on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a World Heritage Site.
Notable events
[edit]Indian Air Force Mil Mi-17 crash, 2021
[edit]On 8 December 2021, a Mil Mi-17V-5 transport helicopter operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed between Coimbatore and Wellington in Tamil Nadu, after departing from Sulur Air Force Station. The helicopter was carrying Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 13 others, including his wife and staff. Thirteen people on board were killed in the immediate aftermath, and Group Captain Varun Singh died from his injuries at a hospital seven days later.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
- ↑ Rongmei, Precious. "Coonoor, a tranquil retreat in the Nilgiris you need to explore". The Times of India. Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ↑ "Elevation of Coonoor".
- ↑ Hunter, William Wilson (1881). The Imperial Gazetteer Of India Vol. 2 (1 ed.). London: Trübner & Co. p. 500.
- ↑ Premkumar, R. (13 June 2025). "Nilgiris Collector helps unearth hidden milestone in Nilgiris' history". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- 1 2 Baikie, R. (1834). Smoult, W. H. (ed.). Observations on the Neilgherries. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press. pp. 16–17. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ Baikie, R. (1834). Smoult, W. H. (ed.). Observations on the Neilgherries. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ Baikie, R. (1834). Smoult, W. H. (ed.). Observations on the Neilgherries. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press. p. 9. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ Baikie, R. (1834). Smoult, W. H. (ed.). Observations on the Neilgherries. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press. pp. 37–38. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ Baikie, R. (1834). Smoult, W. H. (ed.). Observations on the Neilgherries. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press. p. 36. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ Baikie, R. (1834). Smoult, W. H. (ed.). Observations on the Neilgherries. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press. p. 89. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 Cotton, Julian James (1946). Baliga, B. S. (ed.). List of Inscriptions on Tombs or Monuments in Madras Possessing Historical or Archaeological Interest. Vol. II (Revised ed.). Madras: Superintendent, Government Press. p. 203.
- ↑ "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Coonoor, India". fallingrain.com.
- ↑ "Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991–2020" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ↑ "Station: Coonoor Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 209–210. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ↑ "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M193. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- 1 2 "Population By Religious Community – Tamil Nadu" (XLS). Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
- 1 2 "Census Info 2011 Final population totals". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ↑ "Census Info 2011 Final population totals – Coonoor". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ↑ "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 October 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2008.
- ↑ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 177.
- ↑ "Arrangements on for fruit show in Coonoor". The Hindu: Mobile Edition. 26 April 2015.
External links
[edit]
Coonoor travel guide from Wikivoyage- Conoor Official history and tourism page on www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in.
| District headquarters | .svg) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | |||||||||||
| State | |||||||||||
| Region | |||||||||||
| Divisions | |||||||||||
| Taluks | |||||||||||
| Revenue blocks | |||||||||||
| Municipalities | |||||||||||
| Towns and villages |
| ||||||||||
| Geography |
| ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Protected areas | |||||||||||
| Transport | |||||||||||
| Related | |||||||||||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
