History and Culture of Tamil Nadu: Vol. 1 (PB)

ISBN: 9788124603802
Year Of Publication: 2018
Edition: 2nd
Pages : xix, 305
Bibliographic Details : Appendix; Index; Bibliography
Language : English
Binding : Paperback
Publisher: D.K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
Size: 23 cm.
Weight: 650

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.

Foreword
Preface
Abbreviations
Key to Transliteration
Introduction
1. Political Geography
Nadu — Valanadu — Mandalam — Capital Cities — Kavcipuram — Tavjavur — Gangaikondacolapuram — Madurai — Port Cities — Mamallapuram — Nagapattinam — Vatapi — Manyakheta — Kerala — Utkala and Kalinga — Overseas Contacts — Sri Lanka — Kamboja — Kataha
2. Administration (Civil)
The King — Qualities of a King — Divine Origin — Duties of the Kings — Paternal Aspect of Kingship — Kings as Upholders of Dharma — Kings as Upholders of Social Order — Succession — Coronation Ceremony — Yuvaraja — Imperial Titles — Royal Emblems — Ministers — Amatyas — Mantris — Saciva — Mahamatras — Adhyakshas — Treasurer — Spies — Rahasyadhikrit — Sandhivigraha — Karanika — Gajadhyaksha: Superintendent of Elephants — Members of the Royal Family — Vassal Chiefs — Justice — Punishments — Imprecatory Verses — Revenue Administration — Pariharas — Expenditure
3. Administration (Military)
Army Generals — Composition of the Army — Divisions in the Army — Chariots — Elephants — Cavalry — Import of Horses — Infantry — Military Ethics — Character of the Soldiers — Weapons of War — Musical Instruments Used in Wars — Camps — Forts — Navy
4. Economic Life
Agriculture — Crops — Irrigation — Tanks — Maintenance of Tanks — Income From Tanks — Wells — Channels — Water-Levers — Artisans — Goldsmith — Blacksmith — Leather — Workers — Barbers — Weavers — Architects — Special Privileges — Guilds — The Temple as a Socio-Economic Centre — Priests — Accountants — Medicine — Weights and Measures — Land Measures — Nivartana — Pattika — Weights — Kalavju — Dinara
5. Social Life
Brahmanas — Brahmanas as Administrators and Warriors — Other Castes — Women — Queens — Sports and Pastimes — Wrestling — Gambling
6. Education and Literature
Education of Princes — Kings and Patrons of Education — Centres of Education — Centres of Brahmanical Learning — Ghatika — Meeting Place of the Ghatika — Members of the Ghatika — Subjects Taught at the Ghatika — Vidyasthana — Mathas — Agraharas — Temple Colleges — Shalai — Popular Education — Sanskrit Learning in the Tamil Country — Vidyacakravartins — Inscriptions as a Mirror to Sanskrit Literature — Bhagiratha — Vaishnava Mythology — Dashavatara — Varaha — Trivikrama — Parashurama — Rama — Krishna — Adishesha — Lakshmi — Shaiva Mythology — Parvati — Ganesha — Muruga — Harihara — Brahma — Sarasvati — Indra — Sages — Metres — Fine-Arts — Music — Dance — Painting — Sculpture — Art of Theft
7. Religion
Alvars and Nayanmars — Temple Gardens — Pashupatas, Kalamukhas and Kapalikas — Ritual Sacrifices — Mahadanas — Rivers — Cows — Spiritual Preceptors — Jainism — Buddhism
Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography
Index