The small town of Tuticorin experienced a commercial rise in the 19th century as an important port town after it was won over by the British. Earlier it was ruled by various rulers such as the Pandyas, Cholas and even the Dutch and the Portuguese until the British came into the foray. The natural harbour and the rich hinterland of the Tuticorin Port prompted the East India Company to plan the development of the harbour. A lighthouse was built in 1842. Tuticorin became the citadel of freedom struggle in the early 20th century. In 1906 the great freedom fighter of India, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai launched the first Swadeshi ship in British India.
