Tamilakam (Tamil: தமிழகம், romanized: Tamiḻakam) was the geographical region inhabited by the ancient Tamil people, covering the southernmost region of the Indian subcontinent. Tamilakam covered today's Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Lakshadweep and southern parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.[1] Traditional accounts and the Tolkāppiyam referred to these territories as a single cultural area, where Tamil was the natural language[note 1] and permeated the culture of all its inhabitants.[note 2] The ancient Tamil country was divided into kingdoms. The best known among them were the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyans and Pallavas. During the Sangam period, Tamil culture began to spread outside Tamilakam.[4] Ancient Tamil settlements were also established in Sri Lanka (Sri Lankan Tamils) and the Maldives (Giravarus), prior to the migration of Prakrit speakers[citation needed].
During the Prehistorical, Classical, Middle and Early Modern ages, the entire region of Tamilakam mostly remained unconquered by the Northern Indo-Aryan dynasties, ranging from the Maurya Empire[5] to the Mughal Empire.[citation needed]
In contemporary India, Tamil politicians and orators often use the name Tamilakam to refer to Tamil Nadu alone.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Iyengarwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Thapar 2004, p. 229.
- ^ Kanakasabhai 1904, p. 10.
- ^ Singh 2009, p. 384.
- ^ R.S. Sharma (2005). India's Ancient Past. Oxford University Press. p. 206.
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