DID YOU KNOW?

Did You Know about Ancient Tamil History

Ancient Tamil historical sources are known through literature, archeology, inscription and numismatics. Of these the Sangam literature is the most important. It dates back to BC. It dates from the beginning of the late last century AD to the early part of AD. Sangam literary poems describe ancient Tamil society and different parts of their lives. Many parts of this are accepted by researchers as reliable data. Greek Roman literature of the period around the development of Christianity gives details of the maritime trade between Tamil Nadu and the Roman Empire, including the names and locations of several ports along the coast of Tamil Nadu.

Archaeological excavations in Tamil Nadu and Kerala have unearthed relics of the Sangam period, including pottery, pottery, inscriptions, pottery, industrial products, brick structures, and revolving scrolls. Paleontology, archeological techniques, etc. helped to predict the age of contemporary objects.

Evidence for the existence of different economic activities mentioned in the literature, such as agriculture, weaving, pearl mining, gemstone stripping, building construction and painting.

Inscriptions found in caves and pottery are another source for learning about the history of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Brahmi script has been found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and many places in Egypt and Thailand. Most of these were allowed to be created by kings and people's leaders or generals. Other issues were also created by the Sangam community. Coins issued by the Tamil kings of the time were also found in the central and river beds of their kingdom. Many coins had the royal emblem on their backs. Symbols such as the Cherokee symbol arrow and bow are notable. The presence of some portrait and writing helped the archaeologists to trace its time.

Literary sources in Tamil

Tamil verses are the most important source of ancient Tamil history. It is generally considered to date from the last century BCE to early Christianity.  It has 2,381 known poems written by 473 poets with over 50,000 lines.  Each verb is subject to either internal or external type. It speaks of the inner human instincts of love and the external experiences of society, culture and war. Its content describes the various characteristics of ancient Tamil Nadu life. Mangudi Maruthanarinmadurai Kanchi gives a full account of Madurai during the Third Nedum Cheliyan's Pandyan rule.  Nakkira's long neckline refers to the royal palace. Purananuru and Akananuru are seen as poems praising many kings and composed by the kings themselves. The Sangam Chronology generally refers to the genealogy of three or four descendants of ten respondents and the country of joining. Compiled by Five Hundred Cuddalore Kizhar, written by many, during the reign of the Chera king Cheral Ilampirai. Other actions of the Chera kings are described in Akananuru, Kurunthokai, Nartrinai and Purananuru.  Pattinapalai gives a detailed account of the Chola port city of Kavirippoompattinam. It refers to the Eelam food that came to the port. Akananuru 88, 231, 307 about Eelam Bhutandevan, one of the famous Sanskrit poets; Abbreviations: 189, 360, 343 and Nutrition: 88, 366.

Historically valuable Sanskrit poems were critically analyzed by 19th and 20th century scholars.

Excavation evidence

Archaeological Archaeological Prehistory in Tamil Nadu Archaeological Archaeological Survey of Tamil Nadu