Tamil
Nadu was ruled by three major dynasties-the
Cholas in the east, the Pandyas in the central
area and Cheras in the west. This was during
the Sangam Age-the classical period of Tamil
literature-that continued for some 300 years
after the birth of Christ. The Pallava dynasty
was influential particularly in the 7th and
8th centuries, testimonies to which are the
monuments at Mamallapuram. In the 13th century,
with threats of Muslim invasions from the
north, the southern Hindu dynasties combined
and the empire of Vijayanagar, which covered
all of South India, was firmly established.
However, by the 17th century, due to the disintegration
of the Vijayanagar Empire, various small rulers
like the Nayaks ruled southern India.
By the middle of the 18th century, there were
frequent conflicts between the British, French,
Danes, and Dutch due to their interest in
these areas. The British were finally victorious,
while small pockets like Pondicherry and Karaikal
remained under French control. Under the British
rule, most of south India was integrated into
the region called the Madras Presidency. In
1956, the Madras Presidency was disbanded
and Tamil Nadu was established. |
