Tam: சேலம் sēlam
‘Mountain (City)’ City/District, Tamil Nadu
From Tam: cayilam/śailam, ‘mountain’.
Salem is situated at the foot of the Shevaroy Hills and his surrounded by mountains in all directions: Nagaramalai, Jarugumalai Kanjamalai and Godumalai.
Salem dates back to the earliest Chera dynasty (2ndC BCE to 3rdC).
The modern industrial city is dominated by spinning mills, steel plants, silver workshops, mango processing, and sago factories for the production of starch.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Tamil Nadu place names.
