District Collector Office in Thoothukudi
About Thoothukudi District
Welcome to Thoothukudi, traditionally celebrated across the globe as the magnificent "Pearl City" of India. Spanning a vast 4,707 square kilometers, this historic maritime district is globally renowned for its ancient and highly lucrative pearl fishing industry. Formed officially on October 20, 1986, after being carved out of the erstwhile Tirunelveli district, it was originally named in honor of the great national leader V.O. Chidambaranar. Steeped in incredibly rich heritage, Thoothukudi functioned as a vital port for the ancient Pandian and Chola kingdoms, later attracting extensive European colonization by the Portuguese, Dutch, and English. Home to a bustling population of over 1.7 million, Thoothukudi masterfully blends its monumental maritime history with spectacular modern industrial and port-driven economic growth.
District Admin Units
Local Bodies
Constituencies
General Information
- District: Thoothukudi
- HeadQuarters: Thoothukudi
- State: TamilNadu
- Total Area: 4707 Sq.Kms
Population Details
- Total: 17,50,176
- Male: 8,65,021
- Female: 8,85,155
The Historic Pearl City
Thoothukudi is traditionally and affectionately known as the Pearl City. Thanks to the highly abundant availability of pearl fish in the coastal waters during ancient times, the city grew into a phenomenally wealthy maritime port that strongly anchored the region's economy for centuries.
Ancient & Colonial Legacy
The district has an incredibly fascinating history. Originally ruled by the ancient Pandian kingdom (7th-9th Century A.D.) and later the Cholas, its booming port inevitably attracted European colonizers. The Dutch arrived in 1658 A.D., followed by the English who powerfully captured the port under the East India Company in 1782.
District Formation & Pride
Officially born on October 20, 1986, after being masterfully carved out of Tirunelveli, it was initially named to powerfully honor V.O. Chidambaranar, the great national leader from Ottapidaram who led the Swadeshi Movement. In 1997, it was universally renamed to Thoothukudi to perfectly align with its headquarters.