history
The Nilgiri Hills were part of Chera Empire in ancient times. Later it fell into the hands of the Ganga dynasty and then Hoysala empire under king Vishnuvardhana in the 12th century. They then became part of the Kingdom of Mysore of Tipu Sultan who later surrendered them to the British in the 18th century.
John Sullivan, the British governor of neighbouring Coimbatore province, liked the climate of this forested land, and occupied it by securing land from the native tribes (Kota/Kotas, Toda, Krumba and Badaga); often buying up many square kilometres in a day for the price of a few meals. Sullivan later worked to ensure land rights and cultural recognition for these tribes and was financially and socially punished for this by the British Government.
The hills were developed rapidly under the British Raj because they were almost entirely owned by private British citizens, unlike the rest of India. Ooty served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency, and had winding hill roads and a complicated rack railway system built by influential and enterprising British citizens with venture capital from the Madras government. It was a popular summer and weekend resort for the British during the colonial days, and soldiers were also sent here and to nearby Wellington to recuperate. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level[2]. Its stunning beauty and splendid green deep valleys made the British name it "Queen of Hill Stations
