text: The region was ruled by the Cheras during the Sangam period and the town might have been part of the Chera capital at Vanchi-Karuvoor. It formed a part of the principal trade route between the west coast and Tamil Nadu. Archeological evidence points to Karur being a centre of trade during the Chera period. The region was ruled later by the Cholas, as evident from temple epigraphs. It was under the control of Pandyas, Vijayanagara Empire and the Madurai Nayaks across various periods in history. In the later part of the 18th century, the region came under the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company annexed it to the Madras Presidency in 1799. After Indian Independence in 1947, it became pert of Madras State, the predecessor of Tamil Nadu.
  The economy of the town is dependent on agriculture and textiles.  Hindus form the majority of the urban population, with a minor population of Muslims and Christians. Tamil is the major spoken and official language. Karur is a part of the Karur Assembly constituency that elects a member to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly once every five years.
  Etymology
  The name "Karur" came from "Karuvur", after the Chera capital of the same name.