Tamil people

The Tamil people are an ethnic group from South Asia with a recorded history going back more than two millennia. The oldest Tamil communities are those of southern India and northeastern Sri Lanka. There are also a number of Tamil emigrant communities scattered around the world, especially in Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, Mauritius, and South Africa, with more recent emigrants also found in Australia, Canada, and parts of Europe.

History

The pre-classical period

The origins of the Tamil people, like those of the other Dravidian peoples, are unknown, although genetic and archaeological evidence suggest a possible migration into India around 6000 BC (Gadgil 1997). Connections with the Elamite people of ancient Iran, a Hamitic people, have been suggested; but there is little solid evidence to support this view. It has also been suggested that the people of the Indus Valley Civilization were either Tamil or another Dravidian people (see e.g. Parpola 1974; 2003), but this theory is deeply controversial and there is at present no academic consensus on the identity of the Indus people.

Related Topics:
Dravidian - Genetic - Archaeological - India - 6000 BC - Elam - Iran - Hamitic - Indus Valley Civilization - Dravidian people

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2002, geneticist Spencer Wells completed a study of human out-migrations from Africa utilizing the DNA of Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert who, according to Wells, have the oldest human DNA on earth. From analysis of DNA specimens collected in Tamil province, Wells concluded that the earliest significant wave of human emigration from Africa was that of San Bushmen to southern India and then along coastal routes to Australia (the Aborigines). Wells's findings are consistent with the conclusions of various forensic anthropologists, historians and oral historical accounts that classify the Tamils as Negroid or Australoid peoples.

Related Topics:
2002 - Spencer Wells - DNA - Bushmen - Kalahari Desert - Negroid - Australoid

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The earliest clear evidence of the presence of the Tamil people in modern Tamil Nadu (see also History of Tamil Nadu) are the megalithic urn burials, dating from around 1000 BC and onwards, which have been discovered at various places in Tamil Nadu, notably Adichanallur. These burials conform in a number of details to the descriptions of funerals in classical Tamil literature, and appear to be concrete evidence of the existence of Tamils in southern India during that period. Recent excavations at these sites have also provided samples of early Tamil writing, dating back to at least 500 BC (The Hindu, 2005). http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021704471300.htm

Related Topics:
Tamil Nadu - History of Tamil Nadu - Megalith - 1000 BC - Adichanallur - India - 500 BC

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The classical period

From around the 3rd century BC onwards, three royal dynasties—the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandyas—rose to dominate the Tamil country. Each of these dynasties had its own realm within Tamil̲akam. Classical literature and contemporary inscriptions also describe a number of vēlīr, or smaller chieftains, who collectively ruled over a large part of central Tamil Nadu. Wars between the kings and the chieftains were frequent, as were wars with Sri Lanka, but these appear to have been fought to assert might and demand tribute, rather than to subjugate and annex those territories. The kings and chieftains were patrons of the arts, and a significant volume of literature exists from this period. The literature shows that many of the cultural practices that are considered peculiarly Tamil date back to the classical period.

Related Topics:
3rd century BC - Cholas - Chera - Pandyas - Inscription - Chieftain - Tamil Nadu - Sri Lanka

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Agriculture was important during this period, and there is evidence that irrigation networks were built, including the Kallanai dam, considered to be one of the oldest dams still in use. The economy, however, was centred around foreign trade, and there is evidence of significant contact with Europe. Large hoards of Roman coins and evidence of the presence of Roman traders have been discovered at Karur and Arikamedu, and there is evidence that at least two embassies were sent to the Roman Emperor Augustus by Pandya kings. Potsherds with Tamil writing have also been found in excavations on the Red Sea, suggesting the presence of Tamil merchants there (Mahadevan 2003). An anonymous 1st century traveler's account written in Greek, Periplus Maris Erytraei, describes the ports of the Pandya and Chera kingdoms and the trade with them in substantial detail, and indicates that the chief exports of the Tamils in those days were pepper, malabathrum, pearls, ivory, silk, spikenard, diamonds, sapphires, and tortoiseshell (Casson 1989).

Related Topics:
Agriculture - Irrigation - Kallanai - Foreign trade - Europe - Roman coins - Roman traders - Karur - Arikamedu - Roman Emperor - Augustus - Potsherds - Excavation - Red Sea - Merchant - 1st century - Greek - Periplus Maris Erytraei - Port - Kingdom - Pepper - Malabathrum - Pearl - Ivory - Silk - Spikenard - Diamond - Sapphires - Tortoiseshell

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The classical period ended around the 4th century AD with invasions by a northern people referred to as the kaḷvār, who are described as coming from lands to the north of Tamil̲akam and being evil and oppressive rulers. This period, commonly referred to as the dark age of Tamil̲akam, ended with the rise of the imperial Pallava dynasty.

Related Topics:
4th century - Pallava

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The imperial and post-imperial periods

Although the Pallavas are mentioned in records from the 3rd century, they did not rise to prominence as an imperial dynasty until the 6th century. The dynasty does not appear to have been Tamil in origin, and, although they rapidly adopted Tamil ways and the Tamil language, Tamil society was transformed during their reign. The Pallavas sought to model themselves after great northern dynasties such as the Mauryas and Guptas. They therefore transformed the institution of the kingship into an imperial one, and sought for the first time to bring vast amounts of territory under their direct rule. The Pallavas also encouraged the growth of devotional worship centered around Siva and Vishnu, and began the culture of building large, ornate temples with many murals and sculptures. The caste system is thought to have been formalised and institutionalised during this period (Hart 1987).

Related Topics:
Pallava - 3rd century - 6th century - Tamil language - Mauryas - Guptas - Siva - Vishnu - Caste system

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Pallava dynasty was overthrown in the 9th century by the resurgent Cholas and Pandyas. The Cholas become dominant in the 10th century and established an empire covering most of southern India and Sri Lanka. The empire was sustained by strong trading links with China and Southeast Asia. The Cholas were the first dynasty in South India to possess a navy that went as far as Thailand, Burma and Sumatra. A major and successful naval campaign was conducted by the empire against the Srivijaya Empire as a result of trade disputes. Chola power declined in the 12th and 13th centuries, and the Pandya dynasty enjoyed a brief period of resurgence thereafter, but repeated Muslim invasions from the 15th century onwards placed a huge strain on the empire's resources, and the dynasty came to an end in the 16th century (Sastri 2002).

Related Topics:
Pallava - 9th century - Cholas - Pandyas - 10th century - China - Southeast Asia - Navy - Srivijaya - 12th - 13th centuries - Muslim invasions - 15th century - 16th century

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

No major empires arose thereafter, and Tamil Nadu was for a while ruled by a number of different local chiefs, such as the Nayaks of the present-day Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh regions. From the 17th century onwards, European powers began establishing settlements and trading outposts in the region. A number of battles were fought between the British, French and Danish in the 18th century, and by the end of the 18th century most of Tamil Nadu was under British rule.

Related Topics:
Nayak - 17th century - British - French - Danish - 18th century

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The western Tamil lands became increasingly politically distinct from the rest of the Tamil lands after the Chola and Pandya empires lost control over them in the 13th century. They developed their own distinct language and literature, which increasingly grew apart from Tamil, evolving into the modern Malayalam language by the 15th century (Chaitanya 1971).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tamils in Sri Lanka

See also: History of Sri Lanka

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There is little consensus on the history of the Tamil-speaking parts of Sri Lanka prior to the Chola period. The most radical Sinhalese historians argue that there was no organised Tamil presence in Sri Lanka until the invasions from southern India in the 7th century, whereas many Tamil historians contend that Tamils are the original inhabitants of the island.

Related Topics:
Sri Lanka - India - 7th century

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The historical evidence is not conclusive either way. A few poems from the Sangam period are attributed to a poet called "Pūtan̲r̲evan̲ār from īl̲am." Il̲am, also spelled Eelam, is an old Tamil name for Sri Lanka, and this is generally used by Tamils as evidence that there were Tamil settlements in Sri Lanka at that time. Sinhalese historians, however, do not accept that and claim that there is no archaeological evidence of Tamil settlement in Sri Lanka until much later. Accounts from that period, whilst not offering conclusive evidence either way, demonstrate that Tamils fought wars against the Sinhalese kingdoms and occasionally ruled over parts of Sri Lanka, and served as counsellors to Sri Lankan kings from a fairly early date. It is, however, unclear whether these Tamils came from India or were native to Sri Lanka.

Related Topics:
Sangam - Eelam

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The historical record does establish that the Tamil kingdoms of India were closely involved in Sri Lankan affairs from a very early date. Tamil adventurers invaded the island as far back as 75 BC. From the 7th century onwards, the empires of Tamil Nadu played a significant role in Sri Lankan politics, and there is concrete evidence of Tamil settlements in Sri Lanka during that period. Tamil wars against Sri Lanka culminated in the Chola annexation of the island in the 10th century, which lasted until the latter half of the 11th century.

Related Topics:
India - 75 BC - Tamil Nadu - 10th century - 11th century

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The decline of Chola power in Sri Lanka was followed by the re-establishment of the Polonnaruwa monarchy in the late 11th century. In 1215, the Arya Chakravarthi dynasty established an independent kingdom in the Jaffna peninsula and parts of northern Sri Lanka. The dynasty ruled over large parts of northeast Sri Lanka until 1619, when it was conquered by the Portuguese. The island was then taken by the Dutch, and in 1796 became part of the British Empire.

Related Topics:
Chola - Polonnaruwa - 1215 - Arya Chakravarthi dynasty - Jaffna - 1619 - Portuguese - Dutch - 1796 - British Empire

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The modern period

The British colonists consolidated the Tamil lands in southern India into the Madras Presidency, which was integrated into British India. Similarly, the Tamil parts of Sri Lanka were joined with the other regions of the island in 1802 to form the Ceylon colony. They remained in political union with India and Sri Lanka after their independence, in 1947 and 1948 respectively.

Related Topics:
Madras Presidency - British India - 1802 - India - Sri Lanka - 1947 - 1948

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When India became independent in 1947, Madras Presidency became Madras State, comprised of present-day Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh, northern Kerala, and the southwest coast of Karnataka. The state was subsequently split up along linguistic lines. In 1953 the northern districts formed Andhra Pradesh. Under the States Reorganization Act in 1956, Madras State lost its western coastal districts. The Bellary and South Kanara districts were ceded to Mysore state, and Kerala was formed from the Malabar district and the former princely states of Travancore and Cochin. In 1968, Madras State was renamed Tamil Nadu.

Related Topics:
1947 - Andhra Pradesh - Kerala - Karnataka - Linguistic - 1953 - States Reorganization Act - 1956 - Bellary - South Kanara - Mysore state - Malabar - Princely state - Travancore - Cochin - 1968 - Tamil Nadu

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There was some initial demand for an independent Tamil state following the adoption of the federal system. However, the Indian constitution in practice granted significant autonomy to the states, and, protests by Tamils in 1963 led to the government adopting a new policy called the "three language formula," which protects speakers of regional languages from the imposition of Hindi. This has led to Tamils in India becoming increasingly satisfied with the federal arrangement, and there is very little support for secession or independence today.

Related Topics:
Indian constitution - 1963 - Three language formula - Hindi

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Sri Lanka, by contrast, the unitary arrangement led to the slow growth of a feeling amongst Tamils that they were being discriminated against by the Sinhala majority. This resulted in a demand for federalism, which in the 1970s grew into a movement for independence. The situation deteriorated into civil war in the early 1980s. A ceasefire has been in effect since 2002, and a final peace settlement is currently being negotiated.

Related Topics:
Sinhala - Federalism - Civil war - 2002

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~