THE WORLD ATLAS

Realm · approximate borders · 190–300

Aruva Nadu under Chola overlordship

The poem records the Aruvalar submitting to Karikala, not being annexed. The change is dated to c.

190 CE only because that is Sastri's date for Karikala; other scholars place Karikala anywhere from the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE.

See Aruva Nadu under Chola overlordship on the map in 190

On the map
190–300
Capital
unknown
Ports
Arikamedu (Poduke)
Attested in
Pattinappalai: 'the ancient Aruvalar carried out his behests' (as summarised by Sastri)

Rulers named in the sources

Tamilakam in the Sangam age

Sangam poetry (the Purananuru, Akananuru, Ten Idylls and Patirruppattu) describes a Tamil country running from the Venkatam hills to Cape Kumari. It was shared by three 'crowned kings' and a ring of Velir chiefs in the hills between them. The Cholas held the Kaveri delta, the Pandyas the Vaigai and Tamirabarani basins, and the Cheras the Malabar coast and later Kongu. Ashoka's edicts, the Hathigumpha inscription, the Periplus, Pliny, Ptolemy, Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions and digs at Keezhadi, Kodumanal, Arikamedu and Pattanam confirm the kingdoms, capitals and ports. No source draws a frontier, though. The changes over time follow Nilakanta Sastri's dating, which puts most named kings in c. 100–250 CE. Other scholars place them a century or more earlier.

Sources