Sivakasi is a city and Municipal Corporation in Virudhunagar District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This city is known for its firecracker, matchbox and printing industries. Sivakasi city alone meets about 90% fire cracker requirements of India. Due to its rapid industrial growth, this city is also called as
Little Japan of India. The industries in Sivakasi employ over 250,000 people with an estimated turn over of
₹20 billion (US$250 million). Sivakasi was established in the 15th century during the reign of the Pandya king Harikesari Parakkirama Pandian. The town was a part of Madurai empire and has been ruled at various times by the Later Pandyas, Vijayanagara Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Chanda Sahib, Carnatic kingdom and the British. A major riot during the British Raj took place in 1899.