Incredible India - Ooty

Located in the Nilgiri Hills in Southern India, it is known as the "Queen of Western Ghaats” – a mountain range that stretches over 1600 kms along the western coast of the Indian peninsula. Originally occupied by the Tribals, it came under the rule of the British East India Company by the treaty in 1799. Serving as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency - an administrative subdivision of British India; it was visited by British officials during the colonial days as a popular summer getaway. In 1819, John Sullivan, then Collector of the region, visited this hill resort and was enthralled by the beauty of the place. In a letter to Sir Thomas Munro, the Governor of Madras, Sullivan wrote "it resembles Switzerland, more than any country of Europe... the hills beautifully wooded and fine strong spring with running water in every valley.” In 1882, Snooker originated on the billiard tables of a local Club, invented by Sir Neville Chamberlain, rules of which were also first drafted and codified by Neville himself. Today, as a popular hill resort, its economy is based on tourism and agriculture, along with the manufacture of medicines and photographic film. This, is Ooty.