Dating back into time, many attempts were made by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan the rulers of Mysore to invade Coorg. These were successfully repulsed. However, it was the Britishers under East India Company in 1834 which annexed Coorg. The people of the region accepted British rule peacefully. British rule led to the establishment of educational institutions, introduction of scientific coffee cultivation, better administration and general development of the economy.

After independence, it remained a separate state and on 01-Nov-1956, it merged in to the larger Mysore State, bringing with it some 4102 sq kms. From the tourist perspective the word Mercara, Madikeri and Coorg are all interchangeable.