About Sivakasi
Sivakasi is a town in Virudhunagar District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This town is known for its firecracker, matchbox, and printing industries. The industries in Sivakasi employ over 2,50,000 people with an estimated turnover of 20 billion (US$280 million). Sivakasi was established in the 15th century during the reign of the Pandya king Harikesari Parakkirama Pandian. The town was a part of the Madurai empire and has been ruled at various times by the Later Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Chanda Sahib, Carnatic kingdom, and the British. A major riot during the British Raj took place in 1899.
Sivakasi is known for the printing industry and match boxes and its highly industrious nature and was given the nickname Kutty Japan (meaning "Little Japan" in Tamil) by Jawaharlal Nehru
Source: Wikipedia