THE WORLD ATLAS

Realm · approximate borders · 100–300

Kuttanad in the country of the Aioi

By Ptolemy's time, Nelcynda (his 'Melkynda') lies in the Ay country. This may be a real change or just a different source.

The exact frontier with the Cheras is unknown.

See Kuttanad in the country of the Aioi on the map in 100

On the map
100–300
Capital
ruled from the Ay country
Ports
Melkynda (Nelcynda)
Attested in
Ptolemy, Geography VII.1 (Melkynda listed in the country of the Aioi; as quoted by Kanakasabhai)

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