The three ancient Tamil dynasties, namely Chera, Chola, and Pandya, were of ancient origins. Together they ruled over this land with a unique culture and language, contributing to the growth of some of the oldest extant literature in the world.[citation needed] These three dynasties were constantly struggling with each other vying for hegemony over the land. Invasion by the Kalabhras during the 3rd century disturbed the traditional order of the land, displacing the three ruling kingdoms. These occupiers were overthrown by the resurgence of the Pandyas and the Pallavas, who restored the traditional kingdoms. The Cholas, who re-emerged from obscurity in the 9th century by defeating the Pallavas and the Pandyas, rose to become a great power and extended their empire over the entire southern peninsula.[citation needed] At its height, the Chola empire spanned almost 3,600,000 km² (1,389,968 sq mi), straddling the Bay of Bengal.[citation needed] The Chola navy held sway over the Sri Vijaya kingdom in Southeast Asia.
Rapid changes in the political situation of the rest of India occurred due to incursions of Muslim armies from the northwest and the decline of the three ancient dynasties during the 14th century; the Madras Presidency, comprising most of southern India, was created in the 18th century and was ruled directly by the British. After the independence of India, after the Telugu and Malayalam parts of Madras state were separated from Tamilagam state in 1956, it was renamed Tamil Nadu in 1968 by the state governments Three Crowned Kings of Tamilakam ruled and fought over the southern region of the Indian subcontinent for centuries. At the beginning of the common era, southern India and Sri Lanka were home to three Tamil dynastic chiefdoms or kingdoms, each ruled by kings, together called “lavender.” The Pandya, Chera, and Chola dynasties ruled over the Tamil people during ancient and medieval India, fighting among themselves and other forces to dominate the region. Despite this turmoil, they were crucial in advancing south Indian art, architecture, and literature.
Although many have emigrated out of this region, the Tamil people are a linguistic group with roots in modern south India and Sri Lanka. The traditional homeland of the Tamil people is called Tamilakam, or Tamil Nadu. Tamil is one of the oldest languages of the Indian subcontinent. Archaeological and written evidence suggests strong trade and economic links between Tamilakam and Mediterranean powers like Rome. Tamilakam is an important historical region for early Hinduism, and Shiva worship was particularly prominent during the Three Crowned Kings. Shiva—known as the destroyer of the universe—is a Hindu god, one of the trios of the Hindu pantheon alongside Brahma and Vishnu. Many ancient Tamil were part of the Shaivism sect of Hinduism, worshiping Shiva as their main god.
The Pandya Dynasty
The Pandya is the earliest mention of the Tamil ruling chieftains. They first appeared in Greek writings in the fourth century B.C.E. and were said to have sent ambassadors to Roman emperors. The Pandya rulers governed the southern part of the Indian subcontinent and initially practiced Jainism, but later became Hindus, specifically Shaivas.
The main city of the Pandyas was Madurai, where Tamil kings held three Sangam poetry academies. There, scholars produced much of the unique Tamil literature from this period. The symbol of the Pandya Dynasty was the fish. After ruling southern India for centuries, infighting and Islamic invaders weakened the dynasty, eventually ending around the 16th century C.E.
The Chola Dynasty
Chola rulers held the eastern coast of southern India and Sri Lanka, becoming prominent in the 10th through 13th centuries C.E. They were based in the Cauvery valley, in the cities of Tanjore (Thanjavur) and Uraiyur. They first appeared in non-Tamil records in the third century B.C.E., in stelae inscriptions from the Mauryan King Ashoka the Great, who held territory to the north of Tamilakam. Chola rulers used the symbol of a tiger as their royal emblem.
While they existed in conflict with neighboring tribes like the Pandyas and the Pallavas, King Rajaraja (reigned 985–1014 C.E.) eventually took the empire to its height. He conquered the Maldive Islands and parts of Sri Lanka during the 10th century C.E. To celebrate his victories and reign, he commissioned the Brihadisvarar Temple at Tanjore, completed in the early 11th century C.E. This temple was one of the tallest temples in medieval India at about 60 meters (197 feet). It was dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva.
Eventually, the Chola Dynasty was defeated by the neighboring Pandya Dynasty, and the rule of the Cholas ended in 1279. The Chola rulers, like the other Tamil groups, were mostly practitioners of Hinduism. However, other religious groups such as Jainism, Islam, and Buddhism were found in Tamil society.
The Chera Dynasty
The modern district of Kerala draws its name from the Chera Dynasty. The Chera chieftains governed the southwestern coast of Tamilakam, reaching their height in the ninth century C.E. The first rulers were mentioned in Sangam literature in the first century C.E. The city of Karur served as their capital. The Chera was known for their jewel and spice trade, and their royal emblem was the bow.
Legacy of Ancient Tamilakam
The Sangam period began in the fourth century B.C.E. and ended in the fourth century C.E. Sangam (also called crankarm) poems and writings are among the oldest records of Tamil literature, legends, and language. Writers and poets composed the earliest surviving Tamil literature during this period. Sangam writings were composed in the Tamil language and often featured poems written about royalty and love, with both men and women as primary characters. Some of the poems were also composed by women. Sangam writings were supposedly created at the centers of learning in Madurai, part of Pandya territory. RR
Tamilakam in southern India and Sri Lanka has a rich history. The Pandya, Chera, and Chola rulers rose and fell in conflict with each other and allowed art and literature to develop and flourish. Ancient Tamil kingdoms had important trade routes in the Mediterranean and even sent ambassadors to Roman courts. They were important cultural and religious centers for Tamil people and Hindu practitioners across India and Sri Lanka.
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