History of Tamil Nadu

The ancient History of Tamil Nadu dates back about 6000 years and the origin of Tamil people are linked with Aryan invasion theory. People believe this Aryan invasion theory support Tamils belong to the Dravidian race and were part of the early Indus Valley settlers. After Aryan culture invasion the Dravidian people entered Deep South parts and settled there. Nowadays the Indian states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are following the Dravidian culture.

Ancient History of Tamil Nadu

History of Tamil Nadu - Cholas Kingdom in Tamilnadu

Ancient History of Tamil Nadu is from 1st to 9th centuries Cholas Kingdom was in Tamil Nadu state between 1st and 4th centuries. Karikala Chola was the first and very popular king in Chola dynasty. The Dam called Kallanai across the Cauvery River in Tamilnadu was built by Karikala Chola , Kallanai Dam considered to be an engineering wonder of that time.

The Cholas ruled Thanjavur and Tiruchirapalli districts of Tamilnadu, not only in Tamilnadu, Chola kingdom was influenced upto SriLanka (cylon), in the south region and thousands of kilometers across the northern region. Chola kingdom plays major role in ancient history of Tamil Nadu.
During Cholas periods the Chola kings build beautiful temples in tamilnad. Brahadeswarer's Temple in Tamilnadu is also called Big temple of Tanjore (Big temple Thanjavur) is the live example of the excellent architecture of the Chola kingdom . This temple Tamilnadu explains Ancient History of Tamil Nadu.

In the middle of 4th century, Pallavas ruled in Tamilnadu, they built marvelous temple. Major parts of Tamilnadu were ruled by Pallava kings with Kanchipuram as capital of pallavas. During 6th century Pallvas defeated the Cholas and ruled Sri Lanka.

History of Tamil Nadu – Pallava Kingdoms in Tamilnadu

The very popular Pallava kings in Ancient History of Tamil were Mahendravarman-l and his son Narasimhavarman. They built several temples expressing Dravidian architecture. According to the History of Tamil Nadu, the last Pallava King was Aparajitha. The chola king Aditya Chola defeated Aparajitha at the end of 9th century.
pallava temple

History of Tamil Nadu – Cholas Kingdoms in Tamilnadu

During 9th to 14th centuries the Cholas again came for power in South India.The chola king Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola extended their rule to central India , Orissa and some parts of West Bengal.

Ancient History of Tamil shows that in 9 th century Rajaraja Chola captured the eastern Chalukya kingdom by defeating the Cheras and he ruled some parts in srilanka by defeating the Pandyas. The great chola king Rajendra Chola showed his power of rule beyond the andaman and Nicobar islands , Lakshadweep, Sumatra, Java, Malaya and Pegu island. Mahipala, the king of Bihar and Bengal was defeated by Rajendra Chola. To make this victory as visual he built a new capital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram . Tamil history states that after 13th century Chola kingdom started loosing their power of rule in Tamilnadu.

After cholas, during 14th century Pandyas kingdom again emerged the power of rule in Tamilnadu, But the life of this pandya kinfdom was short then Muslim Khilji mugamathu invaders from the north in 1316.

History of Tamil Nadu – Bahmani Kingdoms in Tamilnadu

The tamil history states that later Madurai city was completely destroyed along with Chola and Pandya dynasties destruction. Then Bahmani Kingdom was established in the northern Decca of Tamilnadu.

After Bahmani Kingdom there was a great change in tamil history, Hindus start to build a powerful new kingdom, called the Vijayanagara empire with Hampi as capital.

History of Tamil Nadu – Rule of Vijayanagara empire

This Vijayanagara empire had all the strongholds of Cholas, cheras , pandyas and other local Hindu rulers to check the Muslims. Vijayanagara Empire formed Governors called Nayaks were put to run different territories of the empire. Among these different ancient kingdoms in Tamilnadu, the Vijayanagar Empire was the most powreful dynasty in the south region.

History of Tamil Nadu – Battle of Talikota

But unfortunately in 1564 there was Talikota battle between Vijayanagar empire and Deccan sultans,finally Deccan sultans won in the battle of Talikota.
The empire, dismantled into different places in south India and the power was given to the hands of Nayaks. The ruling parties of Tamil Country were Telugu Nayaks which was peaceful and prosperous. The Nayaks of Madurai and Thanjavur reconstructed some of the oldest temples in Tamilnadu India.

History of Tamil Nadu / Cholas, Pallavas,Pandyas Kingdom in Tamilnadu