EP 94 | Prominent Chieftains of Sangam age - Ori | Tamil | Know Your Roots |Chitra Ganapathy

'Know your roots' series narrates the why, where and how of the Tamil People's history, from a multi disciplinary perspective, that lends a contemporary relevance to this oldest living civilization.

Part 1 of the series , from episodes 1 to 51 , traced the beginning of the journey of man from out of Africa into the Indian sub-continent upto the Iron age megalithic period. We explored the formation of society, chiefdoms as well as the trade routes and advanced metallurgy exhibited in the Megalithic iron age culture of Tamil country starting around the middle of the 2nd millennium BCE .

Part 2 of the series , explores the ushering in of the early history period succeeding Iron age going on to the foundation of kingdoms.

We have explored the transition of the Tamil society to early historic period , including formation of polity, evolution of state society and the formation of chieftancies. We have been seeing how the Marutham chieftains rose to power and laid the foundation for the three kingdoms the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. Upon completing looking into the ten generations of rulers of the early triumvirate, we proceed to look at some of the more popular of the Chieftains or minor rulers of early Tamilagam.