Coimbatore district was a part of the historical region of Kongu Nadu. It was ruled by the Cheras in the ancient period. Coimbatore is an important region between the Roman trade route that extended from Muziris to Arikamedu. In the 10th century, the medieval Cholas conquered the region. In the 15th century it was controlled by the Vijayanagara Empire. The Madurai Nayaks introduced the Palayakkars system after capturing Kongu Nadu region. It was divided into 24 palayams. Later this region came under the Kingdom of Mysore. After the defeat of Tipu Sultan in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, the region was annexed with Madras prescidency.