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The influence of Tamil culture was not only limited to Tamil Nadu. Historical Tamil speaking people are also found outside Tamil Nadu, like ]<ref name="Dailynews">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/06/13/fea05.asp|title=Nainativu Nagapooshani Chariot festival|last=Meeadhu|first=Kalabooshanam|date=13 June 2008|accessdate=18 January 2011}}</ref> of Sri Lanka or ]<ref name=maloney>{{Citation|title=Maldives People|author=Maloney, Clarence|url=http://www.iias.nl/iiasn/iiasn5/insouasi/maloney.html|accessdate=22 June 2008}}</ref> of Maldives. ] speaks of the great Naga king Valai Vanan and his queen Vdcamayilai who ruled the prosperous Naga Nadu with great splendour and a rich Tamil Buddhist tradition. Their daughter, the princess Pilli Valai was married with early Chola king ]<ref name= "People and cultures of prehistoric Sri Lanka">{{Citation | last = Dr. Siva | first = Thiagarajah | title = "People and cultures of prehistoric Sri Lanka" | publisher = Srilanka Guardian | year = Saturday, August 7, 2010 | url = http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2010/08/people-and-cultures-of-prehistoric-sri.html}}</ref> The Jaffna-seal contains a bilingual inscription.{{sfn|Mahadevan|2002}}{{refn|group=note|An archaeological team led by K.Indrapala of the University of Jaffna excavated a megalithic burial complex at Anaikoddai in Jaffna District, SriLanka. In one of the burials, a metal seal was found assigned by the excavators to ca.3rd century B.C.E.{{sfn|Mahadevan|2002}}}} Excavations in the area of ] in southern Sri Lanka have unearthed locally issued coins, produced between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE, some of which carry local Tamil personal names written in early Tamil characters,<ref>Mahadevan, I. "Ancient Tamil coins from Sri Lanka", pp. 152–154</ref> which suggest that local Tamil merchants were present and actively involved in trade along the southern coast of Sri Lanka by the late classical period.<ref>Bopearachchi, O. "Ancient Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu", pp. 546–549</ref> Around 237 BCE, "two adventurers from southern India"{{sfn|Reddy|2003|p=45}} established the first Tamil rule at Sri Lanka. In 145 BCE Elara, a Chola general, took over the throne at Anuradaphura and ruled for fourty-four years.{{sfn|Reddy|2003|p=45}} Dutthagamani, a Sinhalese, started a war against hin, defated him, and took over the throne.{{sfn|Reddy|2003|p=45}}{{sfn|Deegalle|2006|p=30}} The influence of Tamilakam culture stretches further than Tamilakam. The Jaffna-seal contains a bilingual inscription.{{sfn|Mahadevan|2002}}{{refn|group=note|An archaeological team led by K.Indrapala of the University of Jaffna excavated a megalithic burial complex at Anaikoddai in Jaffna District, SriLanka. In one of the burials, a metal seal was found assigned by the excavators to ca.3rd century B.C.E.{{sfn|Mahadevan|2002}}}} Excavations in the area of ] in southern Sri Lanka have unearthed locally issued coins, produced between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE, some of which carry local Tamil personal names written in early Tamil characters,<ref>Mahadevan, I. "Ancient Tamil coins from Sri Lanka", pp. 152–154</ref> which suggest that local Tamil merchants were present and actively involved in trade along the southern coast of Sri Lanka by the late classical period.<ref>Bopearachchi, O. "Ancient Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu", pp. 546–549</ref> Around 237 BCE, "two adventurers from southern India"{{sfn|Reddy|2003|p=45}} established the first Tamil rule at Sri Lanka. In 145 BCE Elara, a Chola general, took over the throne at Anuradaphura and ruled for fourty-four years.{{sfn|Reddy|2003|p=45}} Dutthagamani, a Sinhalese, started a war against hin, defated him, and took over the throne.{{sfn|Reddy|2003|p=45}}{{sfn|Deegalle|2006|p=30}}


==Nadus of Tamilakam== ==Nadus of Tamilakam==
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==See Also==
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==Notes== ==Notes==

Revision as of 06:42, 7 July 2013

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Tamiḻakam or Ancient Tamil country (Tamil தமிழகம் "the Tamil homeland") refers to the Sangam period (3rd century BCE - 4th century CE) territory of old South Indian royalties covering modern Tamil Nadu, Kerala and southern parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka. In an academic context, Tamilakam is used to refer to these territories as a single cultural area, where Tamil was the natural language and culture of all people Today, It is synonymous to refer the term to the modern state of Tamil Nadu in India.

Etymology

"Tamilakam" is a portmanteau of two words from the Tamil language, namely Tamil and akam. It can be roughly translated as the 'homeland of Tamil'. According to Kamil Zvelebil, the term seems to be the most ancient term used to designate the Tamil territory in the Indian subcontinent.

In Tolkappiyam, there are several references to "centamiḷ nilam" (land of refined Tamil).

Geographical boundaries

See also: Tamil nationalism, Indigenous Aryans, and Neo-Vedanta

The history of the Tamil people is complex, and intertwined with the regional and pan-regional history of other people and nations. The definition of geographical and cultural boundaries of Tamilakam, and of the Tamil history, is therefor intertwined with these histories, and occasionally gves rise to heathed debate.

Classical era territory

According to the historic Tamil chronicle Tolkappiyam, the limits of Tamilakam were between the hills of Venkatam in the north, and Cape Comorin in the south. However Tolkappiar, the writer of the Tolkappiyam, and Sikiandiyar do not mention a Tamil part of Sri Lanka.

Various contemporary sources also mention the hills of Venkatam and Cape Comorin in the south as the historical limits of Tamilakam. Other sources mention somewhat different limits, or use a different wording.

At the time of Tamilakam Malayalam had not formed into a separate dialect at this period, and only one language, Tamil, was spoken from the Eastern to the Western Sea.

Modern era

Today, Tamilakam it is synonymous to refer the term to the modern state of Tamil Nadu in India.

History

Main article: History of Tamil Nadu

Approximately during the period between 350 BCE to 200 CE, Tamilakam was ruled by the three Tamil dynasties of Chola, Pandya and Chera, and a few independent chieftains, the Velir.

The Chola dynasty was one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the history of southern India. The earliest datable references to this Tamil dynasty are in inscriptions from the 3rd century BC left by Asoka, of the Maurya Empire. The heartland of the Cholas was the fertile valley of the Kaveri River.

The Pandyan Dynasty ruled parts of South India until the 15th century AD. They initially ruled their country Pandya Nadu from Korkai, a seaport on the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, and in later times moved to Madurai. Pandyan was well known since ancient times, with contacts, even diplomatic, reaching the Roman Empire.

The Chera Dynasty ruled from before the Sangam Age (3rd century BC – 3rd century AD) until the 12th century AD over an area corresponding to modern-day Kerala. During the time of Mauryas in northern India (c. 4th century BC — 3rd century BC) the Cheras (along with the Pandyas and the Cholas) were in a late megalithic phase on the western coast of Tamilakam.

The Velirs (Template:Lang-ta) were a royal house of minor dynastic kings and aristocratic chieftains in Tamilakam in the early historic period of South India.

Cultural influence

See also Sri Lankan Tamil people and Sri Lankan Civil War

The influence of Tamilakam culture stretches further than Tamilakam. The Jaffna-seal contains a bilingual inscription. Excavations in the area of Tissamaharama in southern Sri Lanka have unearthed locally issued coins, produced between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE, some of which carry local Tamil personal names written in early Tamil characters, which suggest that local Tamil merchants were present and actively involved in trade along the southern coast of Sri Lanka by the late classical period. Around 237 BCE, "two adventurers from southern India" established the first Tamil rule at Sri Lanka. In 145 BCE Elara, a Chola general, took over the throne at Anuradaphura and ruled for fourty-four years. Dutthagamani, a Sinhalese, started a war against hin, defated him, and took over the throne.

Nadus of Tamilakam

Tamizhagam was divided into various provinces named nadu, meaning 'country'. These provinces changed throughout history, so the following list is not exhaustive:

Notes

  1. "Sangam period" (Tamil: சங்ககால பருவம், Cankakāla paruvam) is the period in the history of ancient southern India (known as the Tamilakam) spanning from c. 3rd century BCE to c. 4th century CE. It is named after the famous Sangam academies of poets and scholars centered in the city of Madurai.
  2. The Tolkāppiyam is a work on the grammar of the Tamil language and the earliest extant work of Tamil literature. Zvelebil dates the Ur-Tolkappiyam to the 1st or 2nd century BCE
  3. According to A. Rajayyan, it is possible that the Tolkappiar and Sikiandiyar were "not aware of the Tamil part of the island of Lanka."
  4. An archaeological team led by K.Indrapala of the University of Jaffna excavated a megalithic burial complex at Anaikoddai in Jaffna District, SriLanka. In one of the burials, a metal seal was found assigned by the excavators to ca.3rd century B.C.E.

References

  1. Journal of Tamil studies, Issues 37-38. International Institute of Tamil Studies. 1990.
  2. ^ Kanakasabhai, V (1997). The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago. Asian Educational Services. p. 10. ISBN 81-206-0150-5. Cite error: The named reference "kanaka" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. Abraham, Shinu (2003). "Chera, Chola, Pandya: using archaeological evidence to identify the Tamil kingdoms of early historic South India". Asian Perspectives: the Journal of Archaeology for Asia and the Pacific. 42.
  4. Zvelebil, Kamil (1992). Companion studies to the history of Tamil literature. BRILL. pp. xi.
  5. Zvelebil, Kamil (1992). Companion studies to the history of Tamil literature. BRILL. pp. xi.
  6. Zvelebil, Kamil (1973), The smile of Murugan on Tamil literature of South India. Leiden: Brill.
  7. K. Rajayyan (2005). Tamil Nadu, a real history. Ratna Publications.
  8. ^ Abraham, Shinu (2003). "Chera, Chola, Pandya: using archaeological evidence to identify the Tamil kingdoms of early historic South India". Asian Perspectives: the Journal of Archaeology for Asia and the Pacific. 42. Cite error: The named reference "shinu" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  9. Sākkoṭṭai Krishṇaswāmi Aiyaṅgār (1994). Evolution of Hindu Administrative Institutions in South India. Asian Educational Services. pp. 6–. ISBN 978-81-206-0966-2.
  10. ^ Vincent A. Smith (1 January 1999). The Early History of India. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. pp. 438–. ISBN 978-81-7156-618-1. Cite error: The named reference "Smith1999" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  11. ^ K. Rajayyan (2005). Tamil Nadu, a real history. Ratna Publications. page 9 Cite error: The named reference "Rajayyan2005" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  12. ^ Krishnaswamy Ranaganathan Hanumanthan (1979). Untouchability: a historical study upto 1500 A.D. : with special reference to Tamil Nadu. Koodal Publishers.
  13. ^ Muttusvami Srinivasa Aiyangar (1986). Tamil studies: essays on the history of the Tamil people, language, religion, and literature. Asian Educational Services. Retrieved 24 April 2012.page 9 Cite error: The named reference "Aiyangar1986" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  14. Sumathi Ramaswamy (20 November 1997). Passions of the Tongue: Language Devotion in Tamil India, 1891-1970. University of California Press. pp. 89–. ISBN 978-0-520-20805-6.
  15. Vijaya Ramaswamy (2007). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-5379-9.p.xxxix
  16. "Buddhism in Tamilnadu: a new perspective - Shu Hikosaka, Institute of Asian Studies (Madras, India) - Google Books". page 3
  17. "Dravidian India - T.R. Sesha Iyengar - Google Books". page 55
  18. "A handbook of Kerala - T. Madhava Menon, International School of Dravidian Linguistics - Google Books". page 87
  19. "Journal of Tamil Studies - International Association of Tamil Research, International Institute of Tamil Studies - Google Books". page 191
  20. "South India and Ceylon - Kolappa Pillay Kanakasabhapathi Pillay - Google Books". page 40
  21. "Some aspects of Kerala and Tamil literature - M. Raghava Aiyangar - Google Books". page 13
  22. "The hill-shrine of Veṅgaḍam: art, architecture, and āgama of Tirumala temple - Saligrama Krishna Ramachandra Rao, Kalpatharu Research Academy - Google Books". pg14
  23. "Immortal India - Jayantakr̥ṣṇa Harikr̥ṣṇa Dave - Google Books". page 173
  24. "Indo-Iranian journal - Google Books". page 111
  25. "Early South Indian paleography - T. V. Mahalingam - Google Books". page 114
  26. "The Castes, Customs, Manners and Literature of the Tamils - Simon Casie Chitty - Google Books". page 3
  27. "The Pearson Indian History Manual for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary ... - Singh - Google Books". page 147
  28. "Sangam literature: its cults and cultures - Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri - Google Books".page 13
  29. "The Tamils and their culture - K. S. Ramaswami Sastri - Google Books". page3
  30. "Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh - S. S. Shashi - Google Books". page 6
  31. "Origin of Saivism and Its History in the Tamil Land - K.R. Subramanian, Subramanian K R - Google Books". page 16
  32. "Culture of the ancient Cheras: a study in cultural reconstruction - M. E. Manickavasagom Pillai - Google Books". page 16
  33. "The surnames of the Caṅkam age: literary & tribal - M. A. Dorai Rangaswamy, Mor̲appākkam Appācāmi Turai Araṅkacāmi - Google Books". page 95
  34. "Buddhism in Kerala - P. C. Alexander - Google Books". page 2
  35. "Tolkappiyam and Astadhyayi - K. Meenakshi, International Institute of Tamil Studies - Google Books". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help) page 7
  36. "The new encyclopaedia Britannica: in 32 vol. Macropaedia, India - Ireland - Robert MacHenry - Google Books". page 45
  37. "A Primer of Tamil Literature - M. S. Purnalingam Pillai - Google Books". page 6
  38. "Geography of the South Asian Subcontinent: A Critical Approach - Aijazuddin Ahmad - Google Books". page 88
  39. Sākkoṭṭai Krishṇaswāmi Aiyaṅgār (1994). Evolution of Hindu Administrative Institutions in South India. Asian Educational Services. p. 6. ISBN 978-81-206-0966-2.
  40. Mahadevan, Iravatham (2009). "Meluhha and Agastya : Alpha and Omega of the Indus Script" (PDF). Chennai, India. p. 16. The Ventar - Velir - Vellalar groups constituted the ruling and land-owning classes in the Tamil country since the beginning of recorded history
  41. Fairservis, Walter Ashlin (1992) . The Harappan civilization and its writing. A model for the decipherment of the Indus Script. Oxford & IBH. pp. 52–53. ISBN 978-81-204-0491-5.
  42. ^ Mahadevan 2002. sfn error: no target: CITEREFMahadevan2002 (help)
  43. Mahadevan, I. "Ancient Tamil coins from Sri Lanka", pp. 152–154
  44. Bopearachchi, O. "Ancient Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu", pp. 546–549
  45. ^ Reddy 2003, p. 45.
  46. Deegalle 2006, p. 30.
  47. Menon, T. Madhava (2000). A handbook of Kerala - Volume 1. International School of Dravidian Linguistics. p. 112.
  48. Indian History Congress (2007). Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. It comprised the northern district of present Tamil Nadu and the adjoining Chittor and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh. The core of this region, which was called Tondai-nadu: Indian History Congress. p. 120.

Sources

  • Deegalle, Mahinda (2006), Buddhism, Conflict and Violence in Modern Sri Lanka, Routledge
  • Krishnan, Shankara (1999). Postcolonial Insecurities: India, Sri Lanka, and the Question of Nationhood. Univ Of Minnesota Press. p. 172. ISBN 0-8166-3330-4.
  • Mahadeva, Iravatham (2002), "Aryan or Dravidian or Neither? – A Study of Recent Attempts to Decipher the Indus Script (1995–2000)", ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF VEDIC STUDIES (EJVS), Vol. 8 (2002) issue 1 (8 March)ISSN 1084-7561
  • Reddy, L.R. (2003), Sri Lanka: Past and Present, APH Publishing
  • Wenzlhuemer, Roalnd (2008), From Coffee to Tea Cultivation in Ceylon, 1880-1900: An Economic and Social History, BRILL
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