History And Culture Of Tamil Nadu

History And Culture Of Tamil Nadu
                   Volume - 1
           ( Up to c. AD 1310 )

Author : Chithra Madhavan
Publisher : D K Printworld
Pages : 305
Buy : Amazon India
Rating :5/5 stars

Blurb :
Inscriptions are the most authentic and vital source for reconstructing the history of India. Epigraphs were composed in Sanskrit in various parts of India and the ancient Tamil country was no exception to this practice. Among the thousands of epigraphs found all over Tamil Nadu, a large number are composed in chaste Sanskrit and these as well as the Sanskrit portions of the bi-lingual copper-plate records serve as an important source of data about the conditions which existed in the ancient Tamil country. These Sanskrit inscriptions are also excellent pieces of prose and poetry and reveal the high standard which this language had attained in the ancient past in the Tamil country. This is a comprehensive and interesting work dealing with the Sanskrit inscriptions of ancient Tamil Nadu belonging to the period of the Pallavas, Pandyas and Colas and their vassals. It focuses attention on aspects of civil and military administration, social and economic life, education, literature and also the religious and cultural conditions of those ages. These inscriptions serve to highlight the cultural richness which Tamil Nadu enjoyed specially under the Pallavas, Pandyas and Colas. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of epigraphy and to the history of Tamil Nadu.
Review:
This a wonderful book.The book provide a beautiful historical and cultural view of Tamil Nadu.This book is indeed a distinct and valuable contribution to the field epigraphy studies.Chithra Madhavan book is an integrated study that shows the impact of vedic tradition and sanskrit on Tamil Nadu dynasty.The chapters in the book are classified under political geography, administration (civil), administration (military), economic life, social life, education , literature and religion.In each chapters author cites numerous examples of epigraphs to provide a window of view to Tamil Nadu.The book is a chronological evaluation of the progress of Tamil Nadu history and culture.The Book highlights the literary beauty contained in the sanskrit epigraphs belonging to the Pallava, Pandya, Chola time. 100 plus temples of Tamil Nadu are mentioned in the book which author cites as the sources of epigraph.The best thing about the book is that it is based on the facts and evidences and not on emotional responses.A very well reseached book.A must read book.Highly recommend !!