South Indian History Congress was founded at a conclave of historians at the School of Historical Studies, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai - 625021, on 2nd December 1978 with Prof. K.K.Pillay as first President and Prof. K.Rajayyan as founder General Secretary. It was registered under the Societies Act at Madurai in 1979 with Reg.No.32/1979. The Central Office of the Congress is established at School of Historical Studies, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai.

The first inaugural conference of this Congress was held at Madurai Kamaraj University Campus in February 1980. Thereafter annual sessions of the Congress were held at different universities and colleges of South India.