History of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu’s recorded history dates back about 6000 years and the origin of its people is closely tied to the debates of the Aryan invasion theory. Those who uphold this theory favour the view that the Tamils belong to the Dravidian race and were part of the early Indus Valley settlers. But recent historical evidence questions the Aryan invasion theory. Tamil Nadu was constituted by various kingdoms such as that of the Pallava, Chera, the Chola Empire and the Pandya.

The history of the Pandyan kingdom dates as early as 6th century BC. Madurai was founded by the first Pandyan king Kulasekara. The Pandyas excelled in trade and learning. They controlled the present districts of Madurai, Tirunelveli, and part of south Kerala. The Pandyas had trading contacts with Greece and Rome and were powerful in their own right, though they were subjugated during various periods by the Pallavas and Cholas.

The kingdom of the Cheras comprised of the modern state of Kerala, along the western or Malabar Coast of southern India. Their proximity to the sea favoured trade with Africa. This region still boasts of a few Jewish settlers and people of Arab origin. Many Maronite Christians and Syrian Catholics still live in the region.