Pudukkottai town is the headquarters of the district of the same name. Once a princely state, the area which comprises the district, is now of absorbing interest to historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and lovers of art. The numerous dolmens, stone circles and other forms of megalithic burials in the district indicate the antiquity of this region, dating back to pre-historic and proto-historic times. This tract is mentioned in the sangam classics. The rulers of Pudukottai have built several beautiful palaces and also constructed tanks and canals.